He was going into a village when he was met by ten men suffering from a dreaded skin-disease. They stood at a distance and shouted, “Jesus! Master! Take pity on us!” Jesus saw them and said to them, “Go and let the priests examine you.” On the way they were made clean. When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself to the ground at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. Jesus said’ “There were ten men who were healed; where are the other nine? Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God?” And Jesus said to him, “Get up and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17: 11-19
Keeping our distance from people we are suspicious of is nothing new. In them days when Jesus walked this earth people with leprosy had to keep their distance from other people. People used to throw stones at them to keep them at bay. Did you know that Jesus had every right to throw stones at the leper to stop him coming near? In those days it was the done thing. You threw stones to warn the leper not to come too near you.
In this story, Jesus heals ten lepers and only one comes back to say thank you.
Why? What about the other nine? Were they bad people, evil and selfish?
I'd like to think that they were so overcome with joy at being healed that they ran to their family to meet them and hug them and rejoin society once again. They were just absent-minded. So overcome with joy that they forgot to say thank you.
A bit like us really! How often do we forget to say thank you when someone does something nice to us? Does that mean we are evil? Selfish? Bad people? No... just absent-minded.
When is the last time you said thank you to God for all the things He has done for you and continues to do/ How about thanking Jesus too. Now there's a thought ...
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"How often do we forget to say thank you?" In my case, all too often.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true for me too. Thanx Kathy and God bless.
DeleteAmen and Amen!! One thing I have tried to focus on is thanking God, thanking Jesus for even the very small things in life...For example, a good parking spot at the mall. Thank you Lord for the favor upon me this day. Have a great Sunday Victor and thank you for this message.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Shug; if we thank God for the smallest things in life it becomes a habit to be thankful in every thing.
DeleteGod bless you always; and thanx.
I thank the Lord every single day when I awake, Victor. I do want to tell Him thank you even for the little things that grace my life, as I know you do. Have a blessed Sunday!
ReplyDeleteYes, I try to do the same. First thing in the morning I say thank you for another day. Hoping once more it will be a good day.
DeleteGod bless you and yours Martha.
...at the moment I need to shower, I've been working in the garden.
ReplyDeleteBless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1
ReplyDeleteAmen Barbara. Amen always.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
I always sayThankful people are happy people. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is true, K.
DeleteGod bless always.
I try to thank my Lord for every little thing (including the occasional prime parking spot), but certainly there are things I miss. One of my favorite quotes goes like this: "God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'?"
ReplyDeleteThat is a great quote Mevely; and certainly a good reminder in all things to be thankful.
DeleteThank you fro being a friend. God bless you.
I say thank you every morning when I get up and when I go to bed.
ReplyDelete