Do You Have Any Sheets Hanging?

10/23/2005

On Wednesday I was taking a helicopter to deliver at Camp Lejeune marine corps base. When I neared the base there were fences on both sides of the road I was traveling, and on them were literally miles of sheets blowing in the wind hanging from these fences.

On each of these sheets there were things written and drawn, such as welcome home cpl Thomas, love mom and dad. Or you’re the greatest Gunney Wilson, love David and Jesse. We missed you Pvt Allen, see you soon.

You’re my hero daddy! I love you Christina.

Each banner was made for a marine or sailor who soon would be safely home with the loved ones who made the banners.

It was a very emotional ride for me in and out of the base on Wednesday because my heart broke as I read the banners while driving past them. I cried, I swore into the air at the savages who forced America into this battle and took these brave men and women from their families and their loved ones.

I cried some more, I swore some more. Then God revealed something to me in His effort to comfort me.

I realized that there were many thankful families and friends who were soon going to be reunited that were represented by those banners made of bed sheets, but that there were about 2000 soldiers whose families and friends would never have a reason to hang a joy filled, thankful banner made of bed sheets, because those brave men and women are never coming home.

And in that moment I realized that I… have a lot to be thankful for. Then I began to count my blessings and to praise God for His mercy and His grace.

God has given me much to be thankful for!

Luke 17: 11-19

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

Once Jesus’ fame had spread throughout Israel, people were seeking him out at every turn, and these ten lepers were no different, they had heard of this healer named Jesus and they wanted to be rid of their affliction.

There are many things to be learned from this passage, so let’s begin.

Read vs 11-13

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

FYI… McHenry’s commentary states:

The leprosy was a disease which the Jews supposed to be inflicted for the punishment of some particular sin, and to be, more than other diseases, a mark of God’s displeasure; and therefore Christ, who came to take away sin, and turn away wrath, took particular care to cleanse the lepers that fell in his way..

The lepers believe Jesus has the power to heal them, and they want to ask Him to do just that, but if you notice in these verses the lepers act strangely. They stand at a distance and with loud voices say, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

Now why would they do that?

Here is what Mchenry has to say about it.

They stood afar off, knowing that by the law their disease obliged them to keep their distance.

They lifted up their voices, being at a distance, and cried, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

Those that expect help from Christ must take him for their Master, and be at his command. If he be Master, he will be Jesus, a Saviour, and not otherwise.

The lepers had begun a relationship with Jesus Christ by recognizing their need for Him. They needed Him for physical cleansing.

Illustration

Right after 911 everywhere you looked signs were posted saying things like God bless America, pray for our country, pray for the victims of 911. Every church was having special prayer services, and nightly the news talked about an appeal for national unity.