Wednesday 27 April, 2016

11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

This band of outcasts sought company in each either, all suffering the same horrible disease that socially and, by law, meant that they could not associate with anyone else. (Lev 13:46). I assume they were a mixture of Jews and Samaritans, and they all called out to Jesus for mercy. They all recognised, maybe with desperation, that Jesus could help them.

Their healing was subject to a step of obedience, to go and present themselves to the priest. Subsequently, they all obeyed and were all healed.

However, I am drawn to the only one that returned to give thanks to Jesus, and he was a Samaritan, the unlikely one to do so! His gratitude inspires me, even though he was healed of a horrible disease that warranted great thankfulness. But he took time to return to give his thanks. What did Jesus mean by His reply “your faith has made you well”. I believe he was healed of far deeper than just the physical ailment he had suffered. True gratitude to God does this.

When I am truly grateful, and “thankful in all circumstances” (1Thess5:18), that is when God brings healing to my heart.

Father, help me to know this more and more, and to be truly grateful for all You have done and are doing in my life. Amen

Written by Steve Fell