A Surprise in Your Obedience

“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.” 

Luke 17:11–14 

As Jesus was approaching a village, He met ten men afflicted with leprosy. Following the protocol of the day, the hopeless men stood at a distance and called out in loud voices, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were completely healed. As was true for Naaman in the Old Testament, they were given, we can imagine, the perfect skin of a young child (2 Kings 5:14).  

When you think about it, the men never asked for healing—just for pity. Maybe a handout of some money or food. But when they obeyed the Lord’s simple instruction, He gave them much, much more than they ever requested. Here’s the lesson: When God tells you to do something small, just do it! In your act of obedience, God may well surprise you, giving you more than you would have ever dared ask of Him. 

Lord, help me not to overlook or procrastinate the little tasks You ask me to do. I know, Lord, that following You means paying attention to the daily whispers and nudges of Your Spirit, as well as to the big crossroads of life.