“I Wanna Be Whole” Luke 17:1-19
BY VERONICA MARTIN THOMAS (M.Div’07)
We are living in an age where everyone is conscious of health. One writer says, “without health life is not life; it is only a state of languor and suffering — an image of death.” Without health one is incomplete. Without health one is half done, insufficient, inadequate.
All of these words give us the lasting impression that something is wrong. There is need for a change. There is need for healing. In order to be healed, we must realize and be cognizant of the fact that something is wrong. Many of us refuse to admit we need healing. In our text, ten lepers realized their condition and had a desire to be healed. Leprosy was a dreaded disease – hair and body parts would rot off.
No doctor can heal you, if you don’t want to be healed. These men had a sincere desire to be healed, crying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
Jesus could help only because they had a desire to be healed. It’s hard to find a man who does not want to be found. We must first realize we are ill and then have a desire to be healed. Jesus told them, “Go show yourselves unto the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. Healing was completed in the physical sense. Their skin tones were returned, complexion restored, hair replaced, eyelashes in place, hands and feet like new. Their total outward appearance was changed. The 10 were physically sound.
However, healing is complete in the spiritual sense, only when we recognize the source of power. “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.” One recognized the source of his blessing. Nine were caught up in self-accomplishment. And Jesus answering said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are none found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” (How many of us never say thank you?) And Jesus said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Faith is the substance – central meaning – of things hoped for, and the evidence – certainty – of things not seen. The one leper received spiritual healing because of his faith.
I submit to you that there is a vast difference between being healed and made whole. Ten were cleansed but only one was made whole.
Nine had new dermatology — one had new theology
Nine had new careers — one had new conviction
Nine had new opportunity — one had a new hope
Nine had a new outlook — one had a new vision
Nine were restored — one was remade
Nine were released — one was liberated
There is a difference between being healed and made whole. Wholeness brings peace– completeness– salvation– oneness with God– righteousness– eternal security– Love. Paul says we are complete in Christ, who is the head of all principalities and power. John 1:16, “From his fullness we have all received, grace for grace.” Ephesians 1: 6-7, “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
I WANNA BE MADE WHOLE!
Healing changes the physical state– being made whole changes the spiritual state.
Healing changes the outer appearance– being made whole changes the inward conditions.
Healing cleanses the body — being made whole cleanses the heart and soul.
Healing deals with existing — being made whole deals with living.
Healing deals with receiving — being made whole deals with giving, caring, and sharing.
I WANNA BE MADE WHOLE!
Heal me, so I can look better — make me whole so I can act better.
Heal me, so I can feel better — make me whole so I can become better.
Heal me, so I can have friends — make me whole so I can be a friend.
Heal me, so I feel no more pain — make me whole so I can feel the pain of others.
Heal me, so I can have no more tears — make me whole so I can share the tears of others.
Say or sing as the hymn writers say, “Search me Lord, shine a little light from heaven on my soul, if you find anything that shouldn’t be, take it out and strengthen me, I wanna be saved, I wanna be right, I wanna be whole” and “He touched me. Oh, he touched me and oh what joy that floods my soul. Something happened and now I know: He touched me and made me whole.” Let us respond to the Word of God. Amen, so be it.
