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On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ (Luke 17:11-19)
Yesterday was a day of great blessing, for it was the day I joined a dedicated group of volunteers as we took Holy Communion to our members who are in nursing homes. We usually go and round up those who have come as well as invite new people to come to the room with the piano. Yesterday, as soon as Christina started playing the piano in a wonderful way, some heard the music and made their way to join us. On the way there, Christina mentioned a lady with a beautiful voice and the hope she would join us, and she did. The music of the hymns started those who knew the old hymns to singing their praises to God. We had prayer and then I shared a brief message on this gospel passage on Thanksgiving.
The ten men, sentenced by their illness to keep their distance from the living, for the most part were counted as dead, for their home was usually in the graveyards. Yet, these men knew of Jesus and His power, for when they saw Him entering a village, they yelled out to Him, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Jesus' response was to tell them to "Go and show yourselves to the priests," and as they went they were made clean. I told the group yesterday it was truly a test of faith, for every step taken in the direction of the priest brought their healing. Yet, sadly, it was only one, who noticed his healing, who turned back and fell on his face before Jesus to thank Him. And the passage says, "He was a Samaritan." Jesus asks the question, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" But to the grateful man He says, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
We sometimes don't count our blessings. We sometimes don't give God thanks for what God does all the time for us. Only 10% were grateful in this passage; the other 90% walked away without giving thanks. Is not our holiday tomorrow called "Thanksgiving?" May our hearts join the hearts of others who will give thanks to God for all God has shared with us. May it be a melodious sound of grateful hearts praising God for all God has given us.
PRAYER: Lord, grant me a grateful heart. Fill it with praise for You and all You have done on my behalf. Thank You for open doors, great fellowship, and awesome food that has blessed my household. And let me show my gratitude towards You in all that I will do for You; this I pray in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Give someone a blessing by showing your gratitude towards the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: Yesterday I was also blessed to pray with a man named Buster, who was surrounded by all of his family. That in itself was a witness to Buster's love for them. One daughter said in the hallway that her dad was not afraid because he knew where he was going. His son-in-law said that Buster blessed people by carrying a business card with the word Blessing on it, along with a short message that explained that blessing. Another daughter believes Buster gave out over 3,000 of those cards just to bless people. Pray for Buster that God have the last word in his life, for medically his chances were not good. May God's comfort and strength be with all the family is our prayer.
