Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying GOD with a loud voice, and 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 no one found who turned back to give glory to GOD, except this foreigner. Luke 17:15-18
Some people we meet in this life are takers.
They take all they can get…when they can…and as often as they can.
Some say thank you….and some don’t.
Yesterday we read about the 10 lepers who called out to JESUS, MASTER for healing.
The MASTER healed them.
Today we read about what happened after.
Only one turned to thank JESUS, MASTER.
Only one fell at HIS feet, giving HIM the GLORY HE deserved.
It doesn’t make us feel good when people can’t extend the common courtesy of saying thank you, does it?
It doesn’t endear them to us either.
It makes us feel used.
For the life of me, this southern born and bred girl cannot understand the absence of manners?
I don’t care how important you are….
There is no excuse for not saying thank you.
Even for the little things.
I’ve been pondering why only one of the lepers turned back to thank JESUS.
I think it has a lot to do with humility.
The one leper was a Samaritan…..an important detail since it’s mentioned.
The Jews treated Samaritan’s as second class citizens because of their religious differences.
Even JESUS was once accused of being a Samaritan with a demon.
Samaritan’s were considered foreigners…
Despised….
Rejected…
Not only was he a leper….
But he was rejected before he became a leper.
He knew how it felt to be lonely before he was diseased.
Society deemed him worthless.
Perhaps he believed the press….
Perhaps he was broken….
Weary from pain….
Out of hope….
When we are broken…..we’re stripped of pride.
When we feel worthless…..we don’t believe we deserve.
When we are humble…..we don’t forget to say thank you….
If anyone needed JESUS….this Samaritan, leper did.
And after he was healed….he turned back to JESUS.
He fell at HIS feet….
He gave HIM praise.
He was willing to stop….and give the giver …..due praise.
Have you ever struggle with saying thank you to someone?
Thankfulness is a sign of a changed life.
It’s the mark of a mature Christian.
I am reminded of something I heard from a worker at an animal shelter once…..
The lady told me…..
“Strays make the best pets….because they are so grateful to have a home and someone to love them.”
Just like man’s best friend, the dog….his loyalty and gratefulness is evidenced in companionship and devotion.
The pup wants to be around his master at all times.
He protects his master….
He obeys…..
He watches for him to come home….
He greets him with joy…..
I think we could all take a lesson from the strays….and the Samaritan leper.
If we are grateful to our giver….
We won’t just tell HIM…..
We will show HIM.
If we are thankful for HIS mercy….
We will be loyal…
Devoted….
If we are thankful to HIM…..
We will seek HIM…..serve HIM….spend time with HIM.
Just like the adopted, stray pup who lays at his master’s feet…..
If we are thankful we will sit and linger at GOD’S feet.
You see…
Gratitude keeps us connected with the giver.
If we are thankful….
We don’t forget what HE’S done for us; therefore, we seek HIM every day with complete abandon.
Will you be the one to step forward in complete humility and fall at HIS feet in complete devotion and adore sweet JESUS?
Not just on Thanksgiving….
But everyday.
Mel
To draw closer to the GIVER, Click this link to worship with the Elevation Worship Team. Close your eyes. Listen and absorb the words as though they are coming straight from your heart…If we are thankful…we will worship and linger at HIS feet.
