Kelly - Luke 17

The story of the cleansing of the 10 lepers has some truth for me today. The imperitiveness of praising Christ above all else. Above even obeying Christ. The leper was told to go and show himself to the priest - but he turned back in order to give thanks. And for this Christ commends him.

It's like the story of the woman who bathes Jesus in the expensive perfume - the disciples complained that the money could have been better used - which is a very logical argument that I tend to agree with. But the point of that story is that it's more important to praise and honor Christ than anything else - even helping the poor.

The same story extends to Judas in my mind. I can easily see Judas thinking of a good way to raise some money for the missions of the 12 by telling the Pharisees where Jesus was. After all, Jesus himself is found in the gospels telling the Pharisees and leaders where to find him. Jesus calmed the storm and healed and fed - certainly he could evade a few Jewish leaders. I can see this story from the point of Judas's great faith in Christ's abilities - his Messiahship - that the money could be collected without any harm to Jesus - and would well-used by the disciples. From this perspective, Judas's sin is the same as the 9 lepers - not placing adoration of Christ above all else.

I've been spending the week singing "Hail to the Lord's Anointed" - because we sang it last Sunday, but we sang it wrong (and by that, I mean we didn't sing it to the tune I remember from my past....don't mess with my sacred canopy). So I've sung and re-sung the song to the tune I like best - and the words are starting to find their way into my head and heart.

Above all else, above obedience, above communion, above admiration, above faithful questioning, above service to the poor...above all else PRAISE and THANKSGIVING.