11On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Sama'ria and Galilee. 12And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
In this passage, Jesus is met by 10 lepers. He heals them and asks them to go and see the priest. Only 1 returned to thank him. The passage makes the point “and he was a foreigner” - a Samaritan. Jesus praises him and says “Your faith has healed you.” The message from the passage that resonates with me is the importance of gratitude. I have this theory that people who play the victim card are too focussed on their shortcomings and ill fortune to focus on being light for others. Gratitude for what I have gives me enormous energy to look outward. I don’t need to ask God for gifts. I feel they have been bestowed on me plentifully. I find it a privilege to be able to use these gifts to elevate others. Loving father, thank you for my many gifts. Walk with me as I use the gifts to elevate others and in the process, give them a close encounter with your love. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Luke 17:11-19 is insightful and deeply reflective. You’ve captured the central theme of gratitude beautifully, emphasizing how it shifts our focus from ourselves to others. By contrasting gratitude with a "victim mentality," you highlight an important spiritual truth: gratitude fosters an outward-looking heart, enabling us to serve and elevate others, which aligns with Christ’s example and teaching.
DeleteYour reflection also resonates with Jesus’ response to the Samaritan leper. Gratitude not only acknowledges God’s gifts but also strengthens our faith and relationship with Him. The Samaritan’s act of returning to thank Jesus became an expression of faith that Jesus recognized as transformative. You’ve tied this idea well to your own life, expressing a heartfelt desire to use your gifts for others—a beautiful way to live out the Gospel message.
Your prayer is a fitting response, full of humility and purpose. By asking God to walk with you as you serve others, you express a reliance on His presence and guidance, which is both inspiring and deeply aligned with the teachings of this passage. A truly thoughtful and faith-filled reflection!