Will You Be the One?

As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” (Luke 17:11-19 NLT)

One in 10. It’s a choice to choose Jesus the first time, and it’s a choice to continue to choose Him. Jesus encountered this in His journey on earth too. We come across people who are hurting, sick, suffering, you name it! We show them the Healer; they have an encounter—and then they fall back into the worldly rhythms instead of turning around and choosing to go back to find Him. But then there is the one. That person chooses to return to his Father even if he is all alone. They search for Him, praise Him, and then tell the world of how He saved their life. Friends, are you one of the nine or are you the one?

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

God doesn’t make us love Him. He is all-powerful and could force us to obey Him, but chooses to reign with love, mercy, and grace. Our choice to follow Him and walk the narrow path is not out of obligation, but out of love, and that’s why He lets us make that choice. There are days in my life when I am tempted to follow the nine; I am tempted to take a breather on the wide path. But then the Holy Spirit whispers, “He chose you, Jordan. You are in this for the long haul. Stay here.” God says that He leaves the 99 to find the one. So, will you be the one out of 10 to choose Him? Not just choose Him today—but choose Him every day.

Let’s pray! Father, thank You for Your living Word. Thank You that we can learn and grow from Jesus’ life and continue to lean into what You have for us here on earth. We ask for the blessing of courage to stay the course, not just for today but each day of our lives. Holy Spirit, show us where we are straying from the narrow path so we can come back into alignment with our Father. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.