”Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” Psalm 51:10

Create In Me a Clean Heart

A few years ago I was contacted by someone I knew very well from my past. They were troubled and I offered to pray on a particular matter. Sometimes, just like this case, when I pray, the Lord’s answer has more than one purpose. It’s often hard for me to share everything the Lord shows me with the person I’m praying for, and beyond telling this person what they wanted and needed to hear, I have kept the details to myself until now. Partly because this is a time for it, and partly because of my own insecurities. As Christians, I pray that you will consider the greater meaning inside this personal message- it’s the first time I’m sharing it in its fullness. And to the person who the dream was for, I hope you will forgive me for not giving it to you in its fullness at the time- I don’t think you would have wanted to hear it all.

After fasting and prayer, I had a dream. In the dream, I picked the person up at the airport and drove them to a hotel on the beach where I had a room on an upper floor with a view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was a long flight and while the visitor slept, I sat by the window and studied the Scriptures. When they woke up, I drew them a bath and, after excusing myself, I went back to my studies. After some time, they came from the bathroom where I asked them to come to sit by me near the window. There was a small round table with seats on either side and they sat across from me and ate some food that I had brought with me earlier.

In time, I got up, and going to the bathroom, came back with a basin of water, a towel, and a bottle of anointing oil that I had prepared earlier when I drew the bath. I placed the basin at their feet along with the towel and oil. I put both of their feet into the basin and the water turned brown like mud. It was as fluid as water, but had a thick mud look to it.

I took out their left foot and began to wash it. As I did, great pain and sorrow came over me and I began to cry. I looked up at this person and they had a blank look on their face- there was no expression at all. I heard the Spirit speak the name “J” and I felt a great pain come from this person. The Spirit said to me that the left represents the world and the flesh and all it lusts. “Do not let the left know what the right is doing,” and I was given a message to tell this person, and as I dried their foot with the towel and anointed it, I said, “This person wants you to know that they wish you well, but they don’t want to talk to you any more. The Lord says that you should not carry any pain for the things of the world or the flesh.” And I put their foot back onto the floor in front of them.

I pulled the right foot from the water and began to wash it. And I continued to cry, but looking up, so now was my visitor- I felt a feeling of great sorrow in them. This time, the Spirit spoke the name “S” and I felt great guilt come from them. It seemed like all at once, I felt all of the times they thought they had failed to save someone. Times they felt they could have done more to help someone. Times they felt they let someone down.

I had a flashback to a time I was serving on a ministry team. My younger sister had just died and I was back in school the following week and was leading a ministry team. A woman had come on Sunday morning for ministry and after the others in the group had their say, all eyes turned to me and I blurted out, “The Lord wants you to know that she is ok and that she is with him.” I thought I had done something wrong. I thought that I was only said what I was thinking about and then saying what I was hoping for my own sister; the woman had started crying. But then she told us that her sister had died not long ago and that she had been everywhere hoping to hear from God that her sister had accepted Christ before she died. She had tried to lead her sister to the Lord several times and thought she had failed. She felt guilty and shamed and after not getting an answer anywhere, this place was her last stop. She had been at this place for a week, and hearing everything else, she thought that this place was a joke, but now she knew that the Lord had heard her prayers and used me to answered them. She was due to leave right after this ministry time and now she left in peace.

The same kind of sorrow and guilt I felt coming from this woman was coming from my visitor. The voice wanted me to tell them that there is no shame in our work in the Lord, but what they had been trying all along was of their own efforts; their own strength and knowledge, and not in line with the love of God. Therefore, He said, they had no shame to carry because “S” was at peace and they had no reason be bear any shame, sorrow, or guilt for anything else they tried to do for God. I dried their foot, anointed it, and put it down in front of them and started to get up.

And then the Spirit told me to put their feet back into the water. It didn’t make sense, but I did what I was told. The water turned as clear as a mirror. Still a liquid, but it gave a perfect reflection. I saw my own face in the water and heard the voice say my own name. The Spirit said that this was their love that was not accepted. I looked at the visitor and they were smiling, and yet I cried harder than before. I could feel their release from the pain and shame they had come to ask me for, but now there was something else. They weren’t focused on how they got their healing, but their focus was now turned inward. They were happy with themselves. Their focus was on the joy of release. I took their feet from the basin and put them back on the floor.

I had a great sadness. I could only think that this is how the Lord must see Christians today. He takes our pain and our guilt and shame on himself and the church focus on itself instead of him. How joyful it is to be us. How wonderful we are. How terrific. But love is a servant. I had given my visitor what they wanted and needed, and all I wanted to do now was get away. I decided to go wash the basin and the bathtub and to be alone myself.

I went into the bathroom and knelt on the floor before the tub and I cried. I started to scrub the film on the walls of the tub where they had washed earlier. I tried to scrub off the soapy film, but it was hard for the film to wash off. I thought about all of the sacrifices Jesus made for us. All that is meant in our baptism. All that sin meant to be washed away. But it doesn’t really change most people. And I was shown it all. How it pains Jesus to see the spots and blemishes and the uncaring we have until we have a need. And just how dirty we are. I was scrubbing and crying so hard that I couldn’t see clearly through the tears in my eyes. I was determined to wash the scum off when I heard someone behind me. I turned and through blurry vision, I saw my visitor standing in the doorway and the Spirit said to me, “Fill the tub with water.” And the dream ended.

The Message

Smith Wigglesworth said, “The reason the world is not seeing Jesus is that Christian people are not filled with Jesus. They are satisfied with attending meetings weekly, reading the Bible occasionally, and praying sometimes. It is an awful thing for me to see people who profess to be Christians lifeless, powerless, and in a place where their lives are so parallel to unbeliever’s lives that it is difficult to tell which place they are in; whether in the flesh or in the Spirit.”

When you look at yourself against the grace and truth of Jesus and the word of God, which of the three people do you identify with above. Do you go to church on the weekend, but give all of your true energies to the lust of the flesh and the world? Are the worldly things you have and do more important than God? How much time do you wash your mind in the word every day? Are you just too busy? Or do you feel guilt and shame because you don’t do enough? Maybe you don’t think you do enough? Do you think you could do more? Are you driven and not called? Or, do you look into the face of Love and miss it; do you let it pass by? Do you not know who washes your feet? Are you focused on how wonderful you are and miss the servant before you?

The person who reached out to me was all three. They recognized that they were in pain and cried out to God, and He answered. Most Christians are so busy with their lives that they don’t take that chance. And that makes many cold to the fire within. It’s what you do when God answers that’s important. You are important enough for him to hear your voice and answer you. I don’t know what happened when I filled the tub with water. I suppose it would have been an experience similar to when I put their feet back into the water. The Holy Spirit would have washed them clean. I just know I turned to serve.

i-CH

FEAR

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us who can be against us? Romans 8:31

As I see it, fear can be classified into 2 categories; unhealthy and healthy. And within those categories 2 types each; spiritual and personal. I will only quickly review three of these because I want to emphasize the one type that concerns us as Christians. If time allows at some point in the future I will come back to these others however I believe a quick look at them will be enough to lay down the foundation for us.

Unhealthy Fear

Fear of Evil

This is the basest of all fears. This fear concerns all things Satanic and demonic. As Christians we’re encouraged in that we do not have a “spirit of fear” and as such we should have discernment of spirits but not a fear of them. The real power in this type of fear is really the attraction to it for many in the world. There is typically an attitude to overlook this as the reason for a lot of horrific crimes that take place. Those who are attracted to this fear leave themselves open for possession of demonic spirits. When I was living in Charlotte NC for a time I recall going down to our local video store looking for a weekend movie to watch. I noticed that over time the newly released and hot topic sections were literally filled with horror movies of all natures. I used to ask myself “who could even think of this evil let alone make it or even worse watch it.” But there were many people taking them out. Many who watch horror movies play gory video games and see news reports of evil acts are drawn to repeat them or even outdo them. There’s a story of Smith Wigglesworth when one night while having a restless sleep filled with frightening dreams he was woken by the feeling of evil in his bedroom. Looking around it’s reported he saw Satan himself at the foot of the bed observing him. Wigglesworth eyed him and said “Oh it’s just you.” and rolled over and went back to sleep. While we’re not to fear evil we must be aware of it’s presence and our authority over it.

Carnal Fear

This fear is the kind we associate with sinners. It’s the kind of fear that finds them looking over their shoulders. Guilty as charged; waiting to get caught. Following the lusts of the flesh. If the soul becomes numb to this it attracts evil spirits and many people fall further into darkness. However, some are deeply affected by this fear and are drawn out and into the Fear of the Lord; the beginning of Healthy Fears. The Proverbs are filled with many lines of wisdom on these fears: “For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”                                                 Proverbs 1:29-33

Healthy Fear

Fear That Leads to Salvation

This fear is one we are all familiar with: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:” (Proverbs 1:7a). It is the saving fear of the cross. And as our walk in the Christian life continues it leads us onwards and upwards. However some there are who backslide because of the cares of the world or other such things and are drawn back into unhealthy lifestyles and fears. “But now after that ye have known God or rather are know of God how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” Galatians 4:9

Our Greatest Fear as a Christian

So here we are. Walking the Christian life free from the cares of the world not having “a spirit of fear; but of power and of love and a sound mind.” We go to church on Sunday read our Bible occasionally attend conferences listen to Christian music; we pray sometimes and we’re at peace in our soul. So what kind of fear could we need that would be so healthy as to keep us going on to perfection? It’s a wonderful fear. It has power. And Satan has made it easy to miss seeing it in our lives and to make it easy to fail because we don’t see this fear at all. And we believe that since we’re the wonderful children of God that no matter what we might do wrong everything is okay. We have nothing to fear at all.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians wrapped up this fear in one sentence “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30. Grieving the Holy Spirit of God – this should be our greatest fear.
We should be afraid of disobeying and grieving our Heavenly Father his Son and his Holy Spirit with our actions words and thoughts. Having laid out instruction on how to live together as a community Paul reminds the Ephesians that disobedience grieves the Holy Spirit. He tells us simple things; we should put off the old man refraining from old ways; lying stealing anger evil speaking becoming kind tender-hearted forgiving edifying one another. These things we see and do.

I have four wonderful children. Well they’re teens and young adults now. But when they were very little it used to grieve me if I said or did anything that even so much as hurt their feelings. When the disobeyed or did something wrong I always tried to remind them how wonderful they were in the sight of God and myself but what they did was wrong. The focus on the action and not the person. And if I did it wrong it grieved me to see them cry to hurt them.
And this should be our greatest fear; that our actions would grieve the Holy Spirit.
And yet I’m seeing more and more of it especially in the area of prayer. Because with answered prayer comes God’s blessing fruit and the opportunity to glorify Him. In America Satan has caused Christians to fear corporate public prayer because they might be sued or arrested. And yet children are being shot in schools. Rape murders and other unspeakable things are happening all across the country while we sit idle. The most powerful nation in the world is not the United States. It is not Russia. It is the Christian nation of God. And we have lost our power because we have become soft with our authority and it has grieved God.
We have to ask what is prayer? It’s nothing other than talking to your Heavenly Father. It’s no different than talking to your earthly father. But talking to God scares Satan so much that he’s used the world system to denounce it. Knowing that you have reasons to cry out to the one true God and that you do not grieves the Holy Spirit.

What do the Scriptures say? “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 If we as Christians which are sealed by the name of Jesus will humble ourselves and PRAY and seek His face and turn from fear of men then He will hear from heaven and forgive our disobedience and will heal our land.

How did Peter and John reply under persecution? “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye.” Acts 4:19.

And what do the Scriptures say about answered prayer? God knows what you need even before you ask Him. And yet I see people treat answers to prayer as if they were gifts from Santa Clause which can be accepted if we like them enough rejected them or set upon a shelf to be repackaged and regifted or returned from where they came from. You wouldn’t ask Satan for anything but he would gladly give you whatever you wanted if you would disobey God and worship him (Matthew 4:8-9). And you would reject it if he gave it to you. But why do you reject the gift of God?

Let me tell you. Whatever God gives you is meant for three things: to bless you to bear fruit and to give Glory to God! And when you reject them you disobey God and grieve His Holy Spirit.

“It is very foolish to hesitate to trust God” -Aimee Semple McPherson

Let’s say that you pray for that lovely cardigan you saw in the shop window. And someone gifts you that ugly Christmas sweater that you wouldn’t get caught dead in. So you groan inside and say to yourself “God must not have heard me right. I’m not going to wear this. I don’t want to hurt the giver’s feelings so I’ll put it on the shelf this year and regift it next year and pray again to God that He will give me the sweater that I really wanted.” Let me tell you God heard you. You should have worn that sweater. God gave it to you for a reason. It would have born fruit and someone would have glorified God because of it.

Once I was a student at MorningStar’s School of Ministry. During that time I had a job that took me to the panhandle of Texas for a few weeks. While there I had a long weekend and decided to drive down to Waco to visit a relative. One evening we went to dinner with some friends to a Barbeque restaurant. I bought a T-shirt that had the restaurant logo on the front and a slogan on the back that I thought was funny. It read something like “I didn’t climb to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables.” One Saturday morning after I got home I took my youngest son to his soccer game. It was early Spring and the weather was very cold. The ground was covered in frost so much that the grass crackled as you walked on it. All I’d worn that day was a hooded sweatshirt over that T-shirt. As the first half wore on I started feeling warm. But from the inside. I knew that something was happening. At one point I was so warm I took off my sweatshirt and walked around in that T-shirt only. I noticed an older woman a grandmother from a boy on the opposing team watching me pace the sideline. She was watching me more than the game. At half-time she came to me and asked me where I’d gotten the shirt from. She said something to the effect that her husband was in early stages of Alzheimer’s and that the shirt came from a restaurant back in his hometown. She thought that if she bought him one it would help his memory and that perhaps I could tell her the address of the restaurant. I knew this opportunity was a gift from God. I was being used to bear fruit and give Him glory. I pulled off the shirt and gave it to her. I told her that as cold as it was I had been getting warmed inside to the point I needed to take off my sweatshirt. I said that God had me wear that shirt that day just for her and it was God’s chance to bless her and that I wanted her to have that shirt. It was a gift and I knew that God would touch her husband through it. But I told her with a laugh that she was going to have to wash it. She was obviously touched and cried and smiled.
Fruit and Glory.

Maybe you pray for something warm to wear and someone gifts you a beautiful cardigan sweater. You think “I’m not pretty enough to wear something as beautiful as that.” And just when you’re ready to put it on the shelf to regift next year a small voice of God inside says “Wear that today.” Off to work you go and you’re feeling embarrassed and awkward as others around you tell you how beautiful that sweater is. But you notice one person in particular looking at you more than others. And the Holy Spirit says “Go and talk to them.” You learn that they had been gifted a sweater that was plain when what they wanted was the same one you were wearing. They tell you that they wore it anyway and that someone was touched by the sweater they had received. They hadn’t recognized at first the true gift of that ugly sweater until they gave it away to someone who they accidentally bumped into. What if they didn’t know Jesus? What an opportunity to share the Gospel (bear fruit) and glorify God together. A Devine appointment orchestrated by God.
Fruit and Glory.

Consider Ananias of Damascus and Saul of Tarsus:
And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord went unto the high priest
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues that if he found any of this way whether they were men or women he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” Acts:1-2

Now the disciples in Damascus certainly must have heard that Saul was coming to the city to persecute them. And Ananias must have been a very prayerful man. He would have prayed that the Lord deliver the Christians from the hands of Saul and save them. And his prayers were heard.
What happens?
First the Lord meets Saul on the way:
“And as he journeyed he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
And he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me?
And he said Who art thou Lord? And the Lord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:5-6
So Jesus could have sent him back to Jerusalem. He could have killed him there on the highway or any number of other things BUT what an amazing and glorious series of events come forward from here!
The Lord blinds Saul and he’s led into Damascus. It doesn’t tell us about who Judas is at whose house he is led but he is to wait there until he is told what to do.
Now the Lord came to Ananias in a vision and sent him to the house of Judas in search of Saul of Tarsus. To which Ananias replies “Lord I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.” Acts 9:13-14
And Jesus’ response is just not dismissive or angered but demonstrates the depth of repentance and forgiveness fruit and glory:
But the Lord said unto him Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel: Acts 9:15

FRUIT AND GLORY! Thanks be to God!

What fruit would Paul have produced had Ananias not put his full trust in Jesus and doing what he was told? But the fruit that Paul produced was counted to Ananias also. I bet that the two of them became lifelong friends after that. And we know what fruit the man now called Paul produced and the glory of the name of Jesus spread.

Fruit and Glory of God.

What happens when we disobey?
Consider Moses! The savior of Israel. The prophet of God to Israel and Egypt.

Through him God parted seas fed a nation from Heaven and Moses even intervened and kept God from wiping out the entire nation; and yet for one act one time that did not glorify God he was kept from entering the Promised Land. There was a penalty for disobedience. Of all people it was Moses that should have entered into the land.

Was there fruit? Yes. Was there glory? Overall a resounding yes and amen. But what of Moses? There was a penalty.

Consider Zacharias. Father of John the Baptist.

While serving in the Temple an angel of the Lord appears to him:
And when Zacharias saw him he was troubled and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said unto him Fear not Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb.
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. Luke 1:12-16

From Zacharias and Elisabeth (in answer to prayer) would come one who would bear fruit and glorify God and usher in the Saviour. Talk about an answer to prayer!
But!
And Zacharias said unto the angel Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is well stricken in years.
And the angel answering said unto him I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee and to shew thee these glad tidings.
And behold thou shall be dumb and not able to speak until the day these things shall be performed because thou believest not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season. Luke 1:18-20

Disbelief. What if Zacharias had decided not to accept the word of the angel as many Christians today do not accept the answer to their prayers? He was punished albeit temporarily because the answer to his prayer was great and the fruit and glory brought forth by him would be amazing.

Was there fruit? Yes. Was there glory? Overall a resounding yes and amen. But what of Zacharias? There was a penalty.

These are special days.
The Lord is answering prayers in amazing ways. But Christians are not responding in ways that bear Fruit and Glorify God. Their disobedience will have penalties.
I have seen first-hand AMAZING things. Devine relationships meant for these times. Opportunities for healing miracles and more all missed for one reason or another. And the Holy Spirit grieved of it all. Don’t believe that God will let this go. I’ve seen Him first hand take His mighty hand off of lives who have grieved Him.
I personally know of two people who God had tried to bring together to produce fruit for His glory. Not just once BUT TWICE- TWENTY YEARS APART! Through dreams and visions and prophetic words God gave wonderful proofs and showed what Fruit and Glory they would bring. Both of them had been praying for the same thing and twice God brought them together. In fact in the course of that time God put them in the same place at the same time as a sign. So at least three times they came together twice in answer to prayer. But one of them hesitated and did not trust God. It was grievous to witness. The gift was laid down like fruit on a counter. God kept saying “Take and eat.” to no avail. And what happens to fruit left out. Over the course of a year Satan breathed on the gift in this relationship evil spirits gathered like fruit flies and what was meant for greatness became spoiled. I had the chance to witness this twice with the same two people. And in the end God had me deliver a difficult message to them. I was torn; it was the hardest thing I have ever done. It was not God’s desire; it was not mine. It was agonizing. I knew that delivering the message would mean that I might never hear from them again but not delivering it would have meant I grieved God.
Was there to be fruit? Yes. Was there to be glory? Overall a resounding yes and amen. But what of them? Unless there is repentance a penalty is waiting.
If all we are going to do is obey God when he gives us the beautiful cardigan we want and not when he gives us an ugly sweater who are we to him? Jesus was obedient unto death. And that death bore the Fruit that saves us and Glorifies God.
I delivered the message and have not heard from them again. It truly grieves me harshly and I pray fervently for them all day every day. I have seen the goodness of God in their lives and I pray that they might repent and be healed and bear the Fruit and Glorify God as they were meant to.

The scriptures say:

Jesus said “But whosoever shall deny me before men (do not those things that glorify God) him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:33
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19) EMPHASIS ON EVERY!
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell severity; but toward thee goodness if though continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:22)

Mark Chapter 3 recounts the time that Jesus entered the synagogue and there was a man there with a withered hand. All the religious leaders who should have known that God was working through Jesus were waiting to see what he would do. It says “And when he had looked round about on them with anger being grieved for the hardness of their hearts…” (Mark 3:5a). Here he was about to do a miracle (bear fruit) that should have caused them to glorify God and their hearts were hardened.

Read the parable regarding the servant who was given just two talents in Matthew 25. He was unprofitable (produced no fruit) which did not bring glory to the master and he was cast into outer darkness. (25:30)

Every time that you don’t do God’s will you grieve His Holy Spirit. Some things are small; worth 2 talents. And some like Ananias and Zacharias are worth much more. Did you walk past that homeless person and not give them that $10 note you had. Even though the thought came to you? Repent the next time you see them and give them $20.

Again I say these are special times. Know that God loves you and wants to bless you above what you ask for and His GIFTS to you ARE PERFECT. But you have to take what He gives you. Right away. You can’t say to yourself “Well I’ll put it over here and think and pray about it.” You’ve already done that and He’s given it to you. What happens to fruit that’s put on the counter? I like bananas. Put one on the counter and it turns brown. The meat inside bruises. Fruit flies gather around it and in time it spoils and is thrown away. Don’t think that if you put a true gift from God aside that Satan isn’t going to spoil it.

Read the Gospels again. Look at the acts of Jesus. What does it say? People marveled at the fruit (healings and miracles and words) and glorified God. It says that Jesus fame went all around the area. Read what Jesus said to God. He had come to glorify Him. When we accept God’s goodness in our lives it gives us cause to tell every one of His loving kindness. To glorify HIM. And that is what he wants and demands of us. God is looking for us to accept all that He gives us. The gifts the work the fruit and the glory.

Should you fear God?
YES!
You should fear God knowing that your immobility grieves him and pray that it causes you to leap into action.

I say to you; if you have done wrong and grieved the Holy Spirit. REPENT. If you were meant to give your coat go give your coat and your scarf also. If you were to walk one mile go two. If you were to give $100 give $200. If you were to accept love ask for forgiveness accept it and give love back overflowing.

Then God will say unto you “Go your way eat the fat and drink the sweet and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Joy is the opposite of grief. Today grieve not the Holy Spirit of God but let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Let the name of Jesus Christ be glorified in all the earth. And rejoice in all things.

i-CH

WHERE ARE THE NINE?

“And one of them when he saw that he was healed turned back and with a loud voice glorified God
And fell down on his face at his feet giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”

Luke 17:15-17

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 23

The account of ten lepers healed recorded in Luke is not the first time that Jesus encountered a leper in the course of his ministry. There is a touching account found in Matthew 8:2-4 (also in Mark 1:40-45) that precedes this story:

“When he was come down from the mountain great multitudes followed him. And behold there came a leper and worshipped him saying Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him saying I will; be though clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him See thou tell no man; but go thy way shew thyself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.”

It’s worth noting here that the record in Mark says “And Jesus moved with compassion put forth his hand and touched him and saith unto him I will; be thou clean.” Emphasis mine.

The condition effects and source of leprosy?

What is it about leprosy that makes this disease emphasized in the work of Jesus? And what is important about it for us today?

First, let’s look at the disease itself. Easton’s Illustrated Dictionary provides a good picture of the state’s social impact and source of it.

Easton’s Illustrated Dictionary records the state of leprosy as: This name is from the Greek lepra by which the Greek physicians designated the disease from its scaliness. We have the description of the disease as well as the regulations connected with it in Lev 13; Lev 14; Num 12:10-15 etc. There were reckoned six different circumstances under which it might develop itself (1) without any apparent cause (Lev 13:2-8); (2) its reappearance (Lev 13:9-17); (3) from an inflammation (Lev 13:18-28); (4) on the head or chin (Lev 13:29-37); (5) in white polished spots (Lev 13:38 39); (6) at the back or in the front of the head (Lev 13:40-44).

Easton’s definition continues with the impact on both the infected and the community. Lepers were required to live outside the camp or city (Num 5:1-4; 12:10-15). This disease was regarded as an awful punishment from the Lord (2Ki 5:7; 2Ch 26:20).

This disease “begins with specks on the eyelids and on the palms gradually spreading over the body bleaching the hair white wherever they appear crusting the affected parts with white scales and causing terrible sores and swellings. From the skin, the disease eats inward to the bones rotting the whole body piecemeal.” “In Christ’s day, no leper could live in a walled town though he might in an open village. But wherever he was he was required to have his outer garment rent as a sign of deep grief to go bareheaded and to cover his beard with his mantle as if in lamentation at his own virtual death. He had further to warn passers-by to keep away from him by calling out ‘Unclean! unclean!’ nor could he speak to anyone or receive or return a salutation since in the East this involves an embrace.”

Finally, Easton sheds a light on the source of the disease: That the disease was not contagious is evident from the regulations regarding it (Lev 13:12-13 36; 2Ki 5:1). Leprosy was “the outward and visible sign of the innermost spiritual corruption; a meet emblem in its small beginnings its gradual spread its internal disfigurement its dissolution little by little of the whole body of that which corrupts degrades and defiles man’s inner nature and renders him unmeet to enter the presence of a pure and holy God” (Maclear’s Handbook O.T). Our Lord cured lepers (Matt 8:2-3; Mark 1:40-42). This divine power so manifested illustrates his gracious dealings with men in curing the leprosy of the soul the fatal taint of sin.

And so leprosy was not a common disease like the flu that could be passed from one person to another. It was the “outward and visible sign of the innermost spiritual corruption”. The effect of a deeper sinful life (small beginnings) affecting the soul (internal disfigurement) and finally the physical (whole-body). But notice that the leper had an additional state the social shame; the stigma associated with something that could not be OUTWARDLY shared (passed on). “He had further to warn passers-by to stay away from him by calling out ‘Unclean! Unclean!” nor could he speak to anyone or receive or return a salutation.” Additionally, lepers were required to live outside the camp or city. Shame lived outside the reach of the righteous.

So here in the record, Jesus comes down from a mountain with great multitudes around him when from nowhere a leper dares to approach him looking for healing- inner forgiveness and cleansing from God. Jesus moved with compassion touches the man and heals him- but it’s more than that; Jesus has cleansed the heart, restored the soul, and healed the physical symptoms. But what are the consequences of Jesus’ compassion on the man?: Mark 1:43-45
And he straitly charged him and forthwith sent him away;
And saith unto him See thou say nothing to any man; but go thy way shew thyself to the priest and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.
But he (the healed man) went out and began to publish it much and to blaze abroad the matter insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.” Emphasis mine.

 How hard can it be for someone touched by the Son of God, having his heart cleansed from the most terrible of diseases, one that is born from sinning against God himself, to keep what has happened to himself? NOT desiring to tell everyone. He couldn’t. But there’s an equally awful yet prophetic result.

Jesus’ reward for having compassion on a sinner was immediate identification with him the condition that wasn’t even contagious- Jesus could no longer openly enter the city. It was unlawful to touch an unclean person. He became unto the righteous an unclean man. And He the Christ of God carried that pain and sorrow; that shame to the cross. It says of Jesus while on the cross that they mocked and derided him. They continued to shame him. Jesus said that we must see him on the cross as Moses lifted the serpent in the desert. On the cross Jesus took our sin and the shame identified with it- it was nailed there; driven through his feet and his hands. We’re always reminded about the sins that he took but have you considered the shame; your shame that Jesus bore in your place as well? He took them so that you can walk cleansed today inside and out.

Here it might be good to look at John Gill’s Commentary on Matthew 8:17. It reads in part:

himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses: very agreeable to the Hebrew text הוא “he himself” not another; נשא “took up” upon himself voluntarily freely as a man lifts up a burden and takes it on his shoulders; חלינו “our infirmities” diseases sicknesses whether of body or soul ומכאבינו סבלם “and bare” or carried as a man does a burden upon his back “our sicknesses” or diseases which occasion pain and sorrow. And that these words are spoken of the Messiah the Jews themselves own; for among the names they give to the Messiah “a leper” is one; which they prove from this passage (u).

Notice “’he himself’…carried as a man does a burden upon his back “our sickness” or diseases which occasion pain and sorrow. …And that these words are spoken of the Messiah the Jews themselves own; for among the names they give to the Messiah “a leper” is one.” (emphasis mine). Can you SEE THAT? Jesus the Messiah to the Jews is classified as a leper. WOW!

In 1Thessalonians there is the order of a person’s being. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly (completely); and your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I have removed the words in italics I pray God which were added by the scribes copying the text. This gives the Scripture a different and more direct meaning). First, we are spiritual beings- made to be children sons and daughters of God. And this part of our being and only this part has it’s relationship directly to God. The description of leprosy and how it spreads is a very clear picture of how the ‘awful punishment from the Lord” was expressed moving from the inside-out. From the spirit (small beginnings) to the soul (internal) and the flesh (physical manifestations).

We don’t know how long after but Luke’s account takes place sometime after this meeting. The ten lepers must have heard the story of the leper that Jesus encountered earlier (he published it much and blazed it abroad) for the Scriptures say that they waited for him as he entered into a certain village “and they lifted up their voices and said Jesus Master have mercy on us.” (v 13). And he said to them “Go shew yourselves unto the priests” and as they went they were cleansed. (v14 cleansed- spiritually forgiven soul renewed and physically healed). But one a Samaritan seeing that he was physically healed turned back and threw himself at Jesus’ feet glorifying God. Alfred Edersheim in his book The Life and Times of Jesus The Messiah writes “This Samaritan had received more than new bodily life and health: he had found spiritual life and healing “…”That made a man a disciple.”

But what about Jesus’ question to the Samaritan? “Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found to return to give glory to God save this stranger.” The nine others, Jews continued on their way to show themselves to the Priests as commanded. Their eyes were fixed solely on the physical manifestations of healing. Their hearts were hardened and not changed by the miracle. To them, it was important to receive their declaration of health and return to the righteous community; to the world. Even the leper from the earlier account became a convert becoming possibly the first Evangelist outside of the apostolic inner circle.

Today it is much the same. At conferences special healing services or wherever healing takes place, we rejoice in the physical manifestations. There are shouts of “Halleluiah!” and “Praise God” but whether it is 9, 99 or 999 we often overlook the one who falls at the foot of the cross, at the feet pierced with nails and accepts the true source of his cleansing. Many times when someone who is healed is asked about what happened they talk about the heat that ran through their body. Or the sensation of an electric shock from somewhere inside. Or a light piercing their heart. This is a miracle! The Holy Spirit moving on the order of things. From the small beginnings through the inner disfigurement to the whole body. Restored wholly (1 Thessalonians 5: 23). This is worth rejoicing!

Let’s remember the words of David:

“Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore onto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psalm 51:10-12. It pays to read the entire Psalm)

Create in me a clean heart (that place where you and I meet. Where we sit together and you teach me) and renew a right spirit within me (shed fresh light onto my spirit with your Word). Cast me not away from thy presence (let this be the place of my habitation); take not thy holy spirit from me (Let me never quench your holy spirit. Let YOUR ways be my ways).

i-CH

JESUS BELIEVES IN YOU

“And he called unto him the twelve and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.” “And they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” “And the Apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus and told him all things both what they had done and what they had taught.” “And Jesus when he came out saw much people and was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent his disciples came unto him and said This is a desert place and now the time is far passed: Send them away that they may go into the country round about and into the villages and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.” “He answered and said unto them Give ye them to eat.“ Mark 6:7,12-13, 30, 34-37a In an earlier post The Power of Faith we looked at the unfathomable and unfailing faith that our Heavenly Father has in His Son. Adding to that now, Mark chapter 6 is a remarkable witness to the faith Jesus has in us. In order to get the most of this account we need to remember that Jesus’ entire ministry lasted just about 3 1/2 years. If we measure time by the number of chapters in the book (16) we’re just under one year into his time with the disciples. While he had accomplished much in that time, the disciples were still just witnesses to the work of the Son of God. They haven’t done anything yet themselves. The chapter starts with Jesus returning home to “his own country.” Immediately his authority is questioned in the synagogue- he’s just a carpenter; a local boy, Joseph and Mary’s son. As a result, verses 5-6 tell us “And he could there do no mighty work (miracles) save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.” (emphasis mine).  The scripture doesn’t say he would there do no might work (miracles) but that he could not. All he can continue with is to provide an education of the TRUTH. So what does he do? He appoints the twelve disciples to do the work for him. This in itself is a demonstration of his extended power and authority. “And he called unto him the twelve and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power (authority) over unclean spirits;” (v7); and belief in them. What He could not do he gave them to do. They didn’t know it at the time but this would become a taster of the work that lay ahead of them “But ye shall receive power (miraculous power) after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). And the scripture says that they carried out the assignment as instructed. Imagine all that they had seen in a few months of watching Jesus he suddenly entrusts them. That’s quite a big ask of a few uneducated fishermen. And as soon as they return to him he gives them a new task- feed FIVE THOUSAND people! HE BELIEVED IN THEM. So why couldn’t they step up to the job? This was something new. Something they hadn’t even seen him do before (feeding the four thousand comes in chapter 8). Let’s do some math; 5000 people divided by 12 disciples, that’s 417 each. Easy right? They’ve forgotten all the power he bestowed upon them. They’ve come back down to earth. Their measure is worldly and physical. Today we’d ask where we’re going to find the dinnerware for 5000 people let alone the food. That night Jesus sends them away in the ships and later walks on the water to meet up with them. That’s a lot to take in in a day! They must have thought that they couldn’t take much more without their heads exploding.

And here comes the key:

“But when they saw him walking upon the sea they supposed it had been a spirit and cried out: For they all saw him and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them and saith unto them ”Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” And he went up unto them into the ship and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.” (emphasis mine) Mark 6:49-52 They considered not the miracles, for their hearts were hardened. Their focus shifted off the spiritual and back to the physical. Doing the things they had seen Jesus do up until the time he sent them out by twos was acceptable in their spirit. But once they were given something beyond their mental comprehension their hearts were hardened. The spirit gave way to the flesh, to the worldview. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17) Feeding five thousand was beyond their thinking and that hardened their hearts. How sweet are the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us? How wonderful is the opportunity to serve our Lord in the Spirit? We are a spiritual people. And in the spirit, Jesus says “MY FAITH in you is sufficient.” In the Spirit, he says that we will do all the things he did AND MORE. But only our spirit matched with His. God has a call for all of us. Who knows it might be that you are to feed 5000. Or it might be something you think is small and insignificant (nothing is small and insignificant with God). Whatever it is if you believe in your spirit that you can do it YOU WILL! In the Spirit, Jesus believes in you. In the spirit, I believe in you.

i-CH