Thursday 5 December, 2019

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.”

In reflecting on this miracle moment, I see a linkage I’ve never seen before. Jesus makes a strong link between faith and thankfulness. Lack of thankfulness could well indicate a lack of faith. A strong and consistent sense of thankfulness indicates a strong and robust faith in God.

It is quite an empowering linkage really – I can always cultivate more thankfulness to Jesus for who He is and what He’s done. And that is more than simply good for my mental health – it builds a robust faith in God!

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh