bits from bob....
bits from bob....
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? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:12-19 NIV)
This event in the life of Jesus presents powerful teaching. One truth evident in this scripture is that gratitude gives beauty to the human personality. "Thank You" is a very small thing to many folks as evidenced by the action of the nine who did not bother to return and thank Jesus for the power demonstrated in their lives. Yet the Samaritan leper found a permanent place in history because he took the time to say "thank you." Jesus made specific mention that the grateful one was a Samaritan. The one who was least likely to express gratitude was the only one who did. The blessings in our lives are evidence that Christians have more cause to be thankful than others. To begin with, just as the foreigner was cleansed of leprosy, we are cleansed of our sins. "I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips" (Ps. 34:1 NIV). We must be ready always to give thanks to God for all blessings. We understand that Christ's love for us led him to the cross. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." You and I are afflicted with the same problem today that has burdened mankind for all ages. That problem is SIN. Jesus gave himself as a cure for our sin problem. How encouraging to know that the same power that raised Jesus from the grave is at work in our lives this very moment. May we never forget to express our thanksgiving for His response to our need.
