The One!
“…and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And He was a Samaritan. And Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine-where are they? Was not one found who turned back to give glory to God except this foreigner?’”
Luke 17:16-19
What an amazing scene! Jesus and his band of disciples have just entered a town where 10 leprous men are shouting from a distance as they greet Jesus. These men were considered “untouchables” in their day and yet they are shouting all-the-more, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” “No one else cares!” We need You!
The truth is, Jesus did show compassion to them. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests which would have been the right thing to do via the priestly law under the Old Covenant law of Moses. Then, the Bible says as all ten lepers left to go to the priest, all ten were healed, but the only one who returned to humbly offer thanks and give all the glory to God for his gift of healing, (who returned immediately by the way), was the Samaritan. Upon which Jesus said, “Rise and go your way, you faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19).
It is wonderful and amazing what a thankful heart will do! But first and foremost, a heart accustomed to Godly gratitude will increasingly give God the glory!
Think about it! Dr. Luke, a physician, offers us the key to a healthy and vibrant Christian life not matter what the circumstances! As sure as faith and salvation go hand-in-hand, the body and the Body of Christ will only thrive to the proportion that it is truly thankful to God!
Thank You, Lord!
Pastor Louie