LEGASI.tv: Reflection on Luke 17-11 - 19 "Gratitude Expend!"

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Reflection on Luke 17-11 - 19 "Gratitude Expend!"

It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”
They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He knelled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough – and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.”
(Luke 17:11 – 19 The Message)

………….

Historically speaking, Jewish and Samaritans were (are) enemy to one another. Theologically speaking, they argued about the central place of worship (and some more). Generally speaking, they were (are) many differences in politics, race and customs. But in this story, they seem to ‘get along’ with one another by their common misery – leprosy, an affecting skin disease. It broke down social barriers!

“…ten men, all lepers…" calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”” and Jesus, perhaps touched by their intense voice said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests” for that was a normal procedure after a cure during New Testament’s time. They were all cured; Jesus healed them all! I imagine some of them went back home, kicked the front door (okay, maybe push it excitedly) “Darling, I’m cured… I’m clean!” and hugged all of his family members. But one, only one out of ten healthy person, in fact “turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God”.

Michael Wilcock in his expositions on the Book of Luke comments, “Of the ten men who are touched by the healing power of Jesus, only one realizes that what has happened deserves a personal, heartfelt response to the Savior from whom the power has flowed; and the one who thankful man is the Samaritan, the outsider.”

The fact that the Samaritan returned to thank Jesus may indicate that he had received Salvation in addition to the physical healing all ten had received. Both groups (I divide them between ‘the Nine dudes’ and ‘the Samaritan’) have been given the same privilege of hearing the word of Salvation from the lips of the Savior Himself.

Conclusion:

Most people like ‘the Nine dudes’ had receive their healing from God. They prayed and God healed them. But after they receive what they want, they never take a moment to look back and say ‘thank you, Lord’. Just like my little cousin who pleads, cried and begged for me to buy him an ice-cream never once shows his gratitude after he received it. Don’t be like ‘the Nine dude’. Seek the Healer instead of the healing. Offer your worship to the One that had saved you both physically and spiritually. Gratitude brings praise to God. Gratitude is a form of worship. Michael Wilcock continued, “It is the challenge to be like the one, not like the nine: actually to turn back, praising God with a loud voice, and to fall on our faces at Jesus’s feet, giving him thanks.”

THINK BIG Will you come back and give glory to God?

START SMALL Give Him praise for what He have done to you.

GO DEEP He said, “Your faith has healed and saved you”

…………

References:

1. Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised)

Previous reflection/study (click title to read):
Reflection on Mark 10:46-52 "Blind Dude receives His Sight"