Monday 16 November 2015

Responding

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.              
                                                                                                                   Luke 17.15,16


Ten lepers had been healed, but only one came back to praise God for his healing. How readily we might accept the good that God does for us, but how slow may we be in thanking Him and giving Him the praise and glory that is warranted?

The leper who was healed was a Samaritan. The healing took place on the border between Samaria and Galilee, and it is likely that the lepers comprised Samaritans and Jews for, though Jews did not normally associate with Samaritans, leprosy broke down social barriers. It also erected others.

So the lepers might well have comprised Samaritans and Jews. But only a Samaritan responded. This was surely quite surprising in the climate of the day!

Similarly today, we might be surprised at the people who respond to Jesus. Those we may expect to respond could quite easily turn, and go their own way, while those we might not expect to respond could well be the ones to come forward with praise and thanksgiving to God. And these latter would be mightily blessed – “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (v 19).





Lord God,

I thank You, firstly, that You brought me to respond to You. I am grateful, and I seek to follow Your ways for all time.  

I thank You also for all those You touch who respond positively to You. May they also know the fullness of the life You have for them.

I pray for those who pass by on their own way. Please give them further opportunity to turn to You. Soften hardened hearts and turn around lives that presently point away from You. May Your love consume, and may all those in need of Your love be touched. Use those who love You to spread Your love. I ask these things in Jesus’ name.                         Amen.                                                                                                                    


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