neighbor – CadreMen Press

Foreigner Healing

Foreigner Healing by Kirk Hunt

So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

Luke 17:17-18
Please also read Luke 17:11-19

Ten men, all lepers, cried out for mercy. They called out from a distance, protecting their neighbors from the cruel disease ravaging their bodies. Yet, their joined voices added power to their plea for mercy and healing.

Jesus poured out mercy on their souls. Healing flowed over them, ignoring race, nationality, language or creed. And in a moment they were racing to be officially restored to their family and friends.

After too long a time of being shunned, I would rush to end my isolation. After the slow rotting death of leprosy, I would hurry to complete the ceremonies. Still, I hope it would occur to me to stop and show gratitude for mercy and healing.

I do not think it is an accident that the foreigner is the only one to return to Jesus. The man with no claim to consideration rejoiced at his restoration. A foreigner in Israel, his isolation would lessen, not disappear. Healed and restored, he would remain an outsider to his neighbors.

So he took time for gratitude. He delayed his process to bless the giver of mercy and healing. He knew God’s power in his life would tolerate a praise and worship break.

Of the ten, his faith may have been the greatest. His faith came from the deep places of hope and longing. Only a foreigner, who receives blessings from outside the regular circle, might understand his faith.

Think: Do I have faith like a foreigner?

Pray: “Lord, help me to expect and give, mercy, grace and healing.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Christ The Foreigner

Christ The Foreigner by Kirk Hunt

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

Matthew 25:34-35
Please also read Matthew 25:31-46

Standing before the Throne of God, men and women will receive judgment. Those who rejected foreigners (aka strangers) will themselves be rejected. Those who received foreigners will be received by Christ, into heaven. Christ plainly says that He is the foreigner you received or rejected.

No one who has read Scripture should be confused. No one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ should misunderstand. When we serve others, we serve Christ.

Every prisoner is a son or daughter of God. The poor, or sick, or hungry, are children of God. And every foreigner you meet is Jesus, no matter where they were born.

The Old Testament is full of commandments to care for foreigners with mercy, grace and generosity. The New Testament has multiple examples of Jesus performing miracles for foreigners. The Disciples ministered to and evangelized foreigners.

Jesus loves all of His children. He speaks their language. He loves their skin tone. And Jesus has commanded you to love and serve His children.

Keep it simple. Read the words Jesus spoke. Christ is that foreigner. Will you receive or reject that soul?

Think: God loves all of His children.

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister to all foreigners with love and grace.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Who Showed Mercy

Who Showed Mercy by Kirk Hunt

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
|Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:36-37 NKJV
Please also read Luke 10:25-37

At the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Samaritans and Jew hated and despised each other. They even destroyed or desecrated each others’ Temples. Still, the Samaritan had more mercy and compassion on the Jewish robbery victim than either the Jewish priest or Jewish Levite.

The sanctimonious lawyer got the point of the parable. So did everyone listening to Jesus teach at the time. Are you listening now?

The priest and Levite of the parable were expected, if not obligated, to care for their distressed countryman. Instead, a hostile foreigner saved his life. Jesus made a blunt point about the nature of compassion, mercy, salvation, and righteousness.

Good Christians should reach out past the bounds of popular exclusions and exceptions. There will probably be cost or inconvenience. You may not like your neighbor, but that does not end your Godly obligation to assist or even safeguard him or her.

Jesus’ command at Luke 10:37 is simple, “Go and do likewise.” Put aside your rights, privileges, and comfort. Look around, in your own neighborhood, for men and women who need you to stop and have compassion. Your “do likewise” is here and now.

Think: I should show mercy even at the risk of cost or inconvenience to myself.

Pray: “Lord, help me to demonstrate Your love to my neighbors.”

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.