Scripture:
Luke 17:11-19 NKJV
[11] Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. [12] Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. [13] And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” [14] So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. [15] And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, [16] and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. [17] So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? [18] Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” [19] And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Observation:
I have always wanted these SOAPS to be a source of inspiration and course correction, not only to those who take the time out of their busy day to read them, but to myself. I would honestly have to say that it’s more about me living my faith out loud. Over the past few years of writing, I have preached a lot of sermons… to me. Now that being said, I hope that others find some good life information planted in what is written as well. After having an encounter with Jesus Christ sometimes it’s easy to do our best to move forward and we forget to return to HIM and simply say thank you. As Jesus was walking through Samaria and Galilee, on his way to Jerusalem HE entered into a village there HE encountered 10 men who had been stricken with leprosy. These men knew who HE was. Even from a distance, they could tell he was not like the other religious individuals who had done their best to avoid even walking down the same road with them. They could clearly see the difference in HIM, the compassion and mercy that seemed to just radiate from HIM. So they cried out with a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” As HE looked at them HE could see the issue. Maybe there were visible sores on them, or maybe it was the fact that they tried to cover the visible signs. Either way what the bible says is that HE gave them some direction. Go and show yourselves to the priests. HE gave them an action plan that required very little action on their behalf. Go to the priests and show yourselves to them. It was a step of faith. Something that they had to do. But as they took one step after the other, something amazing began to happen. The leprosy fell off of them like a tree in the fall losing its leaves. As they walked by faith, their bodies were healed. They had found the mercy they were asking for. As they noticed what had happened one of the men said to himself. I will return to HIM and say thank you. He was truly grateful for what had happened and he wanted Jesus to know it. He fell to his face and glorified GOD with a loud voice, at the feet of Jesus. Now the Bible is not specific as to what the race of the other 9 men who did not return to Jesus was but the one who returned, Luke was sure to point out that he was a a Samaritan. The reason it’s pointed out in my opinion is to show that Jesus is for everyone who wants HIM. Jews and Samaritans had been separated for years. Their beliefs had kept them apart. Jewish people would walk miles out of their way to avoid contact with a Samaritan person. This isn’t the only time in the Bible that we see Jesus walking right through their territory, and doing something out of character for a Jewish rabbi. As the Samaritan man returned to say thank you Jesus took notice that only one out of ten returned. In verse 18, we get a little glimpse into the race of the other 9 men, although it’s not clearly mentioned. It is brought to our attention that they may not be Samaritans at all. Jesus says only this foreigner returned to glorify GOD. Telling him to rise and be on his way.
Application:
Can I ask you a question…. well too bad I’m asking anyway. Are you grateful for what GOD has done in your life? I know I am. Honestly, I hope it’s something that shows. I hope my savior knows it. I hope that when others see me, they can see a man who has been made clean. I remember the days of leprosy. Walking around Shawnee looking for my next fix, with every action I take saying unclean, unclean. Addiction has its roots in my life. I need the mercy of the LORD to be shown to me. Today I’m grateful. Today my life is not like that. I had the opportunity to go back to where HE saved me from with a message of hope. Doing my best to give GOD the glory HE rightfully deserves. But I have to be honest sometimes it just breaks my heart. Seeing men and women seemingly stuck in addiction. All I can do is tell them what HE has done for me, and explain that if HE did it for me, HE will do it for you. I’m not even sure of my point today. All I know is that I am grateful for what GOD has done in my life, and I know that I am not the only one HE has done it for. Today I want us all to say thank you. If you have been set free from drug addiction, say thank you. If you have experienced some kind of healing, say thank you. If you know the miraculous power of Jesus Christ because HE has transformed your life, say thank you. Return to where HE found you and bring GOD glory. Fall to your knees and say thank you. HE loves you so much that HE gave HIS very life in exchange for yours….. say thank you, give GOD glory with a loud voice. HE has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. Say thank you. Redeemed, thank you bought by the blood of the lamb, thank you, if you have had an encounter with the one who gave HIS life for you, don’t forget to say thank you. You are where your at today not because of what you have done. You are there because of what HE has done. So say thank you
Prayer:
Father, the only words I have for you today is….THANK YOU…. thank you for providing everything I have ever needed. When I was wondering around broken…. you made sure I ate…. thank you….. when I was stuck inside my regrets…. you set my free….. thank you….. when I needed a new life….. You gave me rebirth in your son Jesus…. thank you….. I know that you have done so much it can’t be told in one little devotional….. so all I can do is thank you. You saw something that no one else did. You took the broken pieces of me and painted a beautiful picture. “THANK YOU,” I don’t deserve it and I darn sure didn’t earn it. But you did it anyway. So all I can say is thank you. My prayer this morning is that everyone who reads this will express their gratitude for what you have done in their lives it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.