A Praiseful Response

Scripture: As He entered a village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood at a distance. They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned with a loud voice glorifying God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. Jesus said, “Were not the ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Were there not any found to return and give glory to God except this foreigner?” Then He said to him, “Rise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:12-19

Observation: The simple fact is that Jesus healed 10 men, but only one came and thanked him for it. That one was a Samaritan, not a Jew, and Jesus acknowledges that he is the only one who has come to not only give thanks to Jesus but to worship God. The real question, then is wondering why the others do not return. Understanding they are certainly happy about being healed, there are three likely reasons they did not return.

The first possibility is that they went to someone else to celebrate. They may have returned to their families. So even though God had given them a great gift, they chose to place others ahead of God in their priorities and celebrating.

The second is that they failed to give God and Jesus credit. Jesus did not touch them or take action to clean them, and it is possible they failed to connect their good fortune with Jesus. Instead, they somehow determined there was some other reason for their healing, and didn't acknowledge it as a result of Jesus acting in their lives.

The third possibility is that they were not believers, and nothing was going to change their belief system. Even having their lives completely altered was not going to overcome hearts hardened by their bad lives, and they effectively rejected the concept of God's mercy.

Application: These three issues exist in so many circumstances today. God acts in the world, and everyone decides how to respond, but it is the exception that the first response is worship.

I like this idea of worship as the proper response. This isn't about prayer or giving being the response, or going somewhere to celebrate, but it is about worship. The one man came in a loud voice glorifying God, falling to the ground to worship as has act of thankfulness.

This is a proper response to God's love and grace ... worship and thanksgiving. This is a worship directed toward God explicitly and immediately. He is not a secondary recipient of praise. He is not to be ignored as the provider of blessing. And he is certainly to be acknowledged as God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may I be quick to worship. I do not want to just be quick to pray and acknowledge, though I want to do those things too, but I want to truly worship you and praise you. I raise my eyes to you and know my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. May your praise forever be in my mouth. Amen.