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There is a story in the Bible about 10 lepers who came to Jesus asking to be healed. He sent them to be inspected by the priests, as was the legal requirement and custom, and as they went the leprosy left them. The text goes on: “ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;   and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks” (Luke 17:15-16). Where were the other 9?! They received what they asked for but did not return to give thanks. Wind back the clock a few months. Remember the reports coming from Spain and Italy and other countries where the coronavirus was having a devastating effect? Remember the sense of panic and dread? Remember, too, if you are a Christian how many of us took time to pray and fast - on our own or as churches and wider Christian networks. We asked God to show mercy and hold back His judgment. We asked Him to spare our loved ones working in the NHS. We asked Him to preserve life and minimise

“It was like a red rag to a bull”. That’s what we say when a word or action touches a person’s ‘raw nerves’ releasing a powerful, uncontrollable, emotional reaction. There are many occasions in the Bible where preaching the Christian message provoked a reaction which was hostile to the point of violence. To the present day, even in countries where freedom of speech and religious liberty are legally protected and the gospel is often met with cool indifference, you do not have to preach for long before you encounter certain individuals and groups of people who just seem to  hate Christianity and do all they can to discourage and hinder those who love Jesus Christ. There are many reasons why this can happen. It can be because of misunderstanding or miscommunication. Sometimes it is because the gospel offends people’s pride and challenge ungodly lifestyles. It might be because people have had previous bad experiences with cults or true Christians who are living in a sub-Christian way. I