Luke 17:14-18 KJV
And 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. [15] And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, [16] And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. [17] And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? [18] There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
The story above tells us about how Jesus on his way met lepers who noticed Him. These lapers must have heard about Jesus,about all the great and marvelous things He has done. hence they believed if they could get his attention, they would also be healed. They cried to Jesus from afar, thou son of David have mercy on us. If you noticed in verse fourteen (14), after they cried for mercy Jesus instantly gave them an instruction on what they should do. The bible never stated that Jesus was moved with compassion in this case, neither did He ask what they needed from him like He had done in other cases, nor did he touch them. An instruction was what was needed in this case.
Today, we would say these ten men exhibited faith, they knew who Jesus was and they believed he would save them, they trust he had the ability to restore them, they have heard so many stories about Him. Yet Jesus never said His favorite quote, a quote that He was known for, a quote that have turned the lives of so many for good.
" go thy way your faith has made the whole"
Which means Our father who knows the heart of men at this moment was not after the faith of the ten lapers, the instruction given to them was a test. What these men needed for their miracle was not compassion from Christ, neither was it their believe in the power and authority of Jesus , nor was it forgiveness, was not even their faith in God. What Christ needed from them was something so simple, yet hard, something we need to neglect or feel It doesn't matter. What Christ needed from them was obidence and gratitude, A grateful heart.
And Jesus gave an instruction to them also in that verse fourteen. In those days lapers are not allowed to live within the community, they are usually found at the outskirt of the communities. when a laper is healed they are asked to see the priest who whould give the final confirmation that they are actually healed and can be allowed to come into society once again. The same way when a person shows signs of leprosy, they are kept in assolation for a certain period of time then th priest would be the one to confirm the person indeed has leprosy.
Now did you noticed that the ten lepers never got to meet the priest before they received their healing?
Many of us today are like the nine lapers who never returned, we get carried away When God shows us a glimpse of what he has in store for us. We feel we have arrived, we feel that is all what God has in store for usand we forget God in the process. We have failed the test.
Only one returned to give thanks to God, and to show gratitude.
Verse nineteen, he finally made the statment, the words that has worked so much for others, His favorite quote that has made the difference in the life of others.
" go your way thy faith had made the whole "
Ask yourself these question what whould happen to the other nine when they finally show themselves to the priest? Notting, because their healing has not been confirmed, they where never gratful to God
There are some problems in life that requires faith, Prayers and fasting, while there are some that just need our gratitude and Thanksgiving.
Many people feel Showing gratitude to God means they have it all
Showing gratitude does it mean i have it all, it simply means i am grateful for the little i have now
▫️ I am happy and grateful not because i am where i want to be, i am happy and grateful because i am nolonger in the position i started.
▫️ I am grateful not because the road before me is an easy one, i am grateful because i have an Heavenly father who is there anytime i call on him.
▫️ I am grateful not because things are going my way, i am grateful because i know God has a plan for me even in the mist of the storm.
▫️ I am grateful not because i have those who check on me 24/7, i am grateful because i have the Holy Spirit who is with me always
What are you grateful for?
Happy sunday guys and stay blessed.
