Gratitude

"Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

-Luke 17:11-19

Trusting in God is scary. But once you fully rely on Him, he will do great things. These lepers were away from their friends, family, even their town. They had no one. Nobody wanted to be near them. They were covered in boils and sores. They could not return back home until their disease was gone. Then the Priest had to give them permission. These guys were outcasts.

They were all alone it seemed. Time had not healed their disease, but surely Jesus could. They called on him. They had faith in him. They trusted that whatever he said was the best choice. Jesus told them to go and the went. That in itself is awesome. If Jesus told me to go right now, I would ask, "Where? Why? How? But what about...?" I would not just simply go. But these men had faith.

Jesus told them to go to the Priest & they started on their way. Probably confused out of their minds. It had been forever since they had been in town. Not to mention they were going to the Priest. He could let them back in or he could tell them to leave. On the walk to see the Priest, they noticed that they were healed! How cool is that? Nothing cured them, but after talking to Jesus they were healed. What a miracle!

But ONE of the TEN came back to thank God. It probably didn't take him that long. He probably ran. He "threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him." He was so grateful. He was so thankful for what Jesus had done. He had his life back. And because of his faith, he was cured.

But what of the other NINE? They were probably pretty excited, too. But the one who healed them was not on their mind. They were happy to be healed again and get back to their old life. After all Jesus had done, not even a simple, "thank you." That would suffice. 

What has God done for you? What are you thankful for? Are you the one man who ran all the way back to thank the man who gave you your life back? Or are you the nine other men who simply went back without a thank you? Thank God. He has done so much for you. Run to him full of excitement.