Foreigners

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15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:15-19)

When a group of men, suffering from a skin condition that caused them to be considered unclean, called out to Jesus for healing as he was entering a nearby village, Jesus responded to their pleas by telling them to go and show themselves to the priests so that they could be declared clean and return to their community. While the men were on their way to the priests, they noticed that their skin had cleared. Only one of the men turned around and returned to Jesus with praise and thanksgiving - the others continued on to the priests. As the grateful man fell at Jesus' feet, Jesus noticed that this man was a Samaritan, and Jesus rhetorically asked why only the foreigner had returned to show his gratitude.

Interestingly, Jesus wasn't surprised that the Samaritan man was grateful enough to return, but that those who would have considered Jesus to be kindred did not choose to do the same. It's likely that this Samaritan would not have been welcomed in the temple where the other's were headed. Who might feel exiled, or like they are a foreigner, if they come into our church? While we understand today that people of many nationalities and cultures share our reverence for God, we might be more challenged to imagine someone who is politically foreign to us receiving God's compassionate care. If we admit that God's grace is as much for them as it is for us, then we must offer that same grace. If we admit that God's love is so great for them that Jesus' life was laid down for them, then we must love them with the same passion. Even if we feel like foreigners in a strange land, our liberation, restoration and healing are tied up with the wellbeing of those who seem like our rivals. By God's grace, and with God's power, may we love the Hell out of one another so the wholeness of God's kingdom may come on earth

as it is in Heaven.

4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:4-7)