Ten Were Healed – Only One Came Back

Have you ever heard, thankful is as thankful does ? It kind of like the old "proof is in the pudding" saying. A person who is really thankful shows it.

 How do we show Jesus our thankfulness?

Consider the story from Luke 17:11-19,
¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Only one broke the Levitical law about quarantine.

Only one understood what was happening to them in a deeper sense.

Only one went from lamenting to thanksgiving and praise.

Only one who came back was a Samaritan.

It wasn’t Suzy Sunday School or Deacon Doug who truly understood (got it). It was the Samaritan! The guy that had no business at Jesus feet (with the group because, misery loves company) but not in church!

Only one saw the difference between being healed and being whole. - Nine lepers were so intent on following the law, but the one, who turned around and came back, saw a significant difference in his mind and heart. and clearly in the mind of Jesus, between being healed and being made whole. 

 Do you want to know who you are and feel your purpose with a deep sense of conviction and peace?

Start by giving thanks, and living a life of gratitude.

 So, as we gather around the table, let us come together to give thanks. Healing is just one of the ways God has come and will come to our lives.  More than that, we are people who God is in the process of making whole . . . of completing and bringing together and finishing.

Be wise today and always this Thanksgiving - show you are thankful to God.