I have heard that a miracle happens instantaneously, and healing over time but that doesn’t explain the miraculous healing that happened for the ten lepers in the Bible. Read the story here Luke 17:11-19.

As He traveled, Jesus met ten men who were plagued with leprosy. These men asked Jesus to have mercy on them (vs. 13), and He did but, it didn’t appear right away. The lepers “stood at a distance” (vs. 12). There was no laying on of hands. There was no crowd, no music, no lights, no camera and, seemingly no action! But there was a Word! A word spoken by the giver of life—‘Go, show yourselves to the priests’ (vs. 14). Without hesitation, the lepers went.

Some would say, ‘Your blessings are tied to your obedience.’ And that is true. Having free will, the lepers could have scoffed at Jesus’ direction and continued to be lepers. However, faith was essential to the lepers receiving their healing. As Jesus explained, “your faith has made you well” (vs. 19). These lepers had faith in Jesus. As they called to Him from their place of desperation, they believed He had the power to heal them. Their faith, coupled with obedience led to their miracle.

Some of you may be in a place of desperation. You may be in a desire situation and need answers. Maybe you’ve been dealing with a condition that has troubled you for some time. Think back to this story and see the steps the lepers took:

1. The ten lepers knew who to call. The lepers were fully convinced of the power Jesus had to heal. He is both able and willing to meet our needs. Some times we forget, or even forsake to do the simplest thing—ask. James 4:2b says “You do not have because you do not ask God”. Have you truly asked God in faith for what you need? Don’t think you are worrying God. It is His good pleasure to give you what you need (Luke 12:32).
2. The lepers received Jesus’ words in faith. Jesus said “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” According to the levitical law, only the priest could declare these men healed. Why else would they go to the priest except to receive a declaration of healing? Jesus Words were like a promise of healing to these men. What had Jesus promised you through His Word? He promises healing, miracles, and deliverance from all kinds of circumstances.
3. The lepers walked in obedient faith. The priest could indeed declare these men healed, but at the time the Word was spoken, they still had the physical appearance of leprosy. Nothing happened immediately in the physical. But they received their healing when they believed. Then they obeyed until healing manifested—“And as they went, they were cleansed” (vs. 14). I can imagine them checking their skin, to see if the sores were still there, but continuing to walk. I imagine them checking each other over, looking for signs of restored health, yet journeying on to see the priest.

“As they went,” all ten were healed. Are you continuing to walk? Are you journeying on? Waiting can be the hardest part (for me it is). But we’ve been graced to wait on the manifestation of God’s promises. But we must keep walking in obedience and keep believing what He has promised.

I can’t leave out the last part of the story. Only one leper came back to say thank you. One of ten. How sad. Jesus refers to this one as a foreigner, a Samaritan. Presumably, the others only believed they had one need, to be healed. But this one Samaritan came and threw himself, in gratitude, at the feet of the Master. He needed more than just healing—he needed Jesus. And when he entered the presence of Jesus, even being a foreigner, he knew the appropriate response—gratitude and worship.

Dear ones, don’t allow your situations and circumstances to stop you. Ask God for the things you need. Believe the Word of the Lord in faith. Move forward in faithful obedience. When you enter the presence of the Lord, respond to His goodness with a grateful heart of worship. And don’t stop. Keep walking on to your miracle.