Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Luke 17:17. In fact, ten lepers meet Jesus, raise their voices to Him and go away healed. Only one, the Samaritan, wishes to thank his Savior. So in great Christendom, of all those who are saved, only a few know how to “return” to worship the Lord. Are you one of them? Let’s talk about it.
On his way from Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus met ten men with leprosy in a village who stopped from afar and cried: “Jesus, master, have mercy on us! As soon as he saw them, he said to them, Go and show yourselves to the priests. And while they were going, it came to pass that they were healed ”. The priests had only to witness the healing; they did nothing more. Because only God could heal this terrible disease. But one of them seeing himself healed, retraced his steps, glorifying God aloud. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and gave him thanks. He was a Samaritan. Jesus answered and said, Have not the ten been healed? And the other nine, where are they? Was there only this stranger to come back and give glory to God?
We have seen that grace, replacing the law, brought about a complete change in the way of acting of those who were its objects. For the person of the Lord is its source, the expression as it is the object of the heart which drew from this source. From then on, the forms of worship ordained by Moses, while God was not revealed in grace, were no longer of any value, as the epistle to the Hebrews shows. This is also the lesson of the healing of the ten lepers and the conduct of the healed Samaritan.
For the nine who were Jews, delivered like the Samaritan, did not allow themselves to be ruled by the grace of which they had been the objects; they remained attached to the legal system which was only a figure and a shadow of what Jesus had just introduced; for while being healed, they did not go any further. But the Samaritan, outside the grip of the law, naturally returning to Christ Jesus, the source of grace, gives glory to God and throws himself at the feet of the Savior to bless him. So Jesus said to him: “Arise, go; your faith has healed you “. For he now has all that is necessary for time and eternity; he needs neither the law nor the priests.
Indeed, in his attitude, he presents the normal state of any believer washed from his sins by the blood of Christ (we know that leprosy is a figure of sin), he has become a worshiper of God revealed in Christ, of the God of grace and of Christ himself. This has been the worship of the Father and of the Son since the Holy Spirit descended to make known all the results of the work of Christ.
This should also be the steadfast attitude of the believer, at the feet of the Lord, the source of all happiness, light and love. There his heart can be nourished with the grace and the power which he needs to act, so that he will not be a scandal to anyone, that he will show grace towards all and serve the Lord without counting, in return for everything. his love for us.
We understand better the loss suffered by the nine, who remained attached to the ordinances which prevented them from moving freely on the ground of grace, with Jesus for center and for object, yet healed, but without real joy or spiritual development. This state is today that of many saved people, without being freed from human systems which veil the beauty and the worth of their Savior and Lord, and prevent them from growing into the moral likeness of one that any believer can contemplate to face. discovery, to be transformed into his image from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18). The Lord is thus deprived of his due glory through a faithful witness.
But it is not just human systems that hinder spiritual development and deprive the Father and Son of true worship and a faithful walk in the enjoyment of grace. For the thousand things of this world, legitimate and otherwise, which occupy the heart and distract from its person, are harmful to us and cause us present and eternal loss. So the redeemed can have no other object for his heart than his Lord.
This is why the words of the Spirit of God to the King’s Jewish wife are addressed to his heavenly bride today: “Hear, my daughter, see, and give ear; Forget your people and your father’s house. The king bears his desires on your beauty; Since he is your lord, pay homage to him.” (Ps 45.11-12). In principle, this is the position that the healed Samaritan had taken, and that which every redeemed of the Lord on earth must take, while waiting to be realized in glory. Have we taken it yet? Let us hasten to do so.
What lessons can we learn from this teaching?
(a) The real transformation: One of these men was different. He was a Samaritan. When he realized and saw with his own eyes that the open, leprous wounds he had on his body and which had undermined his life were disappearing, he retraced his steps and “glorifying God aloud, he fell on his face at the feet of Jesus, and gave him thanks” (Luke 17: 15-16). He had called Him “Master” before he received his miracle, but he returned worshiping and gratefully glorifying Jesus as his “Master” also after receiving him. Many people call Jesus their “Master” when in need, but how many of them continue to treat Him as their “Master” by worshiping and gratefulness after being healed? These ten lepers were touched by the power of God and saw their leprosy be healed. But I believe that only a leper was truly transformed! It was the Samaritan who returned to thank and give glory to the Lord and to recognize Jesus as his true “Master”. Jesus said of this man: “Your faith has saved you”.
For gratitude in our hearts is just as transforming a force as the hand of God that heals leprosy. A heart that has been truly transformed by the hand of God is a greater miracle than a healed body. In Jesus’ day there were many people who saw and experienced in their lives the power of His miraculous hand, yet their hearts were never transformed! We see this sad reality happening again and again through the gospels. Jesus’ most notorious meetings took place in the cities of Bethsaida, Capernaum, and Chorazin (Matthew 11: 20-24). The inhabitants of these three cities had gone out into the desert where Jesus had gone to take refuge to rest, for they were hungry for His power and His work. Jesus was moved with compassion and said that they were like a flock without a shepherd. He taught them, cured them of all their illnesses and miraculously fed them with a little boy’s frugal meal of two fish and five loaves of bread. Thousands ate to their fill.
Yet these are the same people referred to in Matthew 11:20 where we read: “So he began to rebuke the cities in which most of his miracles had taken place, because they did not exist. ‘were not repented’. Jesus even went so far as to severely judge all these cities by comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah who would have repented and would still survive today if they had been able to experience what these people had experienced. In fact, it might seem difficult for many to come to terms with this reality, but most of the people who received the greatest miracles from Jesus may well be in hell today! How is it possible ? It is very simple. A miracle of healing will produce a physical change that will only last a lifetime. The miracle of a transformed heart that has a lifestyle of gratitude and gratitude to God for the miracle He has performed will last for eternity! Ten lepers were touched and blessed, but apparently only one of them was transformed by the great power of gratitude that was in his heart.
Our prayer is that we each live in an attitude of continual gratitude for what Jesus has done in our lives. Let us not only seek His face and His work in times when we are in need to continue our journey without taking the time to come back to love Him, adore Him and in return give Him the best of ourselves! When we come to Jesus as the leper to thank and worship Him, then we discover the true treasures of the Kingdom of God in our lives. Recognition experienced on a daily basis truly makes Jesus the Master of our lives.
(b) Recognition Opens Doors: This concept of recognition is deeply rooted in the Scriptures. The word “recognition” and its derivatives appear in 137 places in the Bible. It is a powerful spiritual force that most people overlook. A lifestyle of gratitude and gratitude to God can, in fact, be one of the most effective spiritual weapons there is and it has the potential to unleash the richest blessings of God in our lives! In the Psalms we have a powerful example of this truth. The Bible says: Psalms 100: 1-4 Psalm of praise. Shout for joy to the Lord, all you dwellers of the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with joy; come gladly into his presence. 3 Know that the Lord is God! It is he who made us, and we belong to him; We are his people, and the flock of his pasture. 4 Enter into its gates with praise, into its courts with songs! Celebrate him, bless his name! It is simply the revelation of a great spiritual principle that gives us the key to entering the vault of God’s blessings. Gratitude and praise to God literally open the doors that separate heaven and earth and allow people to step into the presence of the Lord and have access to all of His blessings. This is because most people pray because they are in a situation of need or lack and they ask God to come and do something to change their current circumstances. Many pray because they are afraid or worried. Others pray because they are dissatisfied. If we are truly honest and realistic, the prayer life of many Christians comes down to a time of complaining to God about their situation or things in their life that make them miserable!
For when God tested the hearts of the people of Israel in the wilderness, this was at the center of their problem. The visible and manifest presence of God covered them with a cloud by day and with a fire at night, but apparently that was not enough for them! The manna from Heaven fell for them every morning, yet they moaned and longed for the cucumbers and melons they had eaten during their slavery in Egypt. Fresh, pure water sprang supernaturally from a rock, something most of them had never experienced, and yet this was not enough for them either. God was leading them to a country that would soon be theirs, but they constantly complained about their situation and accused Him of wanting them harm. Due to their attitude of heart, most of them died in the desert. Their complaints and dissatisfaction interrupted what God wanted to accomplish, which is to bring them to a wonderful place that He had prepared for them! They never made it to their destination, in this wonderful place, due to lack of gratitude, recognition and praise. Their complaint and discontent which was in reality an accusation of injustice against all that God did in their life, finally closed the “doors” to all the promises that God had in store for them since Abraham!
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
- Humility, people found with Christ:
-the sick: Mt 15.30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.
-a grieving father: Mk 5: 22-23 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”
-a sinful woman: Lk 7: 37-38 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
-a demonic cured: Lk 8.35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
-a woman who sought the truth: Lk 10:39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
-a sister in mourning: Jn 11:32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
-a respectful worshiper: Rev 1.17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right
hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
Respect for Christ: Mt 8.2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Mt 9.18 While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Mt 15.25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. Mt 20.20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. Mc 5.22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet; Mk 7.25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. Jn 9.38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Ingratitude towards God: Dt 32.6 Is this the way you repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you? Ne 9.26 “But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they
committed awful blasphemies. Ez 16.17-18 You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. 18 And you took your embroidered
clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them. Rm 1.21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Spiritual infirmity, healing: Ps 41.5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” Isa 53.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Jr 3.22 “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” “Yes, we will come
to you, for you are the Lord our God. Ho 6.1 “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. Lk 4.18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to
release the oppressed; Rev 22.2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
From all of the above, we note that it’s our faith that heals us, and we should ask ourselves, “How much gratitude is there in my prayer life to God for all that He already has accomplished in my life and gave me? Or, “How much time do I spend begging God to change the things I don’t like in my life?” And the percentage we give in response to these questions will greatly determine the amount of peace, joy, blessings, accomplishment, and victory in our lives! If we look back, we have so much to be thankful for. For a grateful heart lifts up its thanksgiving and praise to Him who provided for all of her needs, to Him who sustained, preserved, helped and comforted us. Why not take a few moments to pause and ponder the goodness of God that has been shown to us throughout the past year? Our prayers support you all in your efforts to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus and praise him for his blessings.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week “Jesus who teaches about the greatest.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.