Luke 17: 11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
This teaches us so much about our responses to the Lord for what he does for us. We have seen the impossible made possible. We’ve been witnesses to the mighty hand of God at work in our lives. He has certainly blessed us. We are very much on the receiving end when it comes to God. We could never give back in any proportion what he’s given to us, but how much does he receive from us in return for what he does?
Many make fun of and make light of what God does, but through his grace he still blesses. Man’s sin is refusing to receive the Lord and yet what he does give many give glory or credit to someone else. God is the source of good in our lives and deserves the credit.
Jesus came to this leper colony. This was a shameful disease. People were driven from mainstream society into quarantine forming these leper colonies. It was a painful disease. The skin deteriorated. These 10 men had heard about Jesus healing lepers in other places. They cried out to him for mercy. Jesus didn’t just say “be clean.” He told them to go show themselves to the priest and do according to the word of the Lord. That’s what we have to do—obey the word. Even when we feel like it’s not working, trust the word. Go the Bible way. If we want the Lord’s continued work in our lives, we must keep following the word of God.
The 10 started in the direction of the priest, and as they turned they were all healed. Each of them realized it. Jesus could have waited until they got half way to the priest. He could have waited until they got there. Instead he healed them when they began to obey his word. Always go ahead and do what the Lord says. In due time, he’ll answer prayers.
It’s easy to count our burdens, but we have far more blessings. These men were so caught up in what happened to them most of them forgot one big thing—THANK YOU. What adequate gift can we give to the Lord for all he does for us? All Jesus desired was a thank you. One of my biggest wrongs is being so caught up in what the Lord does for me that I don’t adequately show thanks. None but one of these men turned around. Before he enjoyed what happened to him a minute longer, one man came back to Jesus. With a loud voice he glorified God. He let it be known that Jesus healed him. The Lord has been so good to all of us that we should let it be known. Never be ashamed of what God has done for you. This man fell on his face at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. What can we give Jesus? Our life? Our possessions? They already belong to him anyway. The only thing we can give is what this leper gave—thanks from the bottom of our heart.
Jesus asked where the others were. Not many people are thankful today. Even at Thanksgiving people are geared up for a party or shopping more than being thankful. There is very little real thanksgiving. I don’t want to be one of the nine. I’m guilty of it a lot as I rush through life. Let’s be the ones who come back to Jesus and thank him with all our heart and soul. Really mean it. Keep a turned back attitude and stay at the feet of Jesus.
When Jesus looks to see how many thank him, do not let the lone leper be the only one at His feet; let us join him.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 