Ten contagious and disfigured lepers forced to stay on the edge of town, cry out to Jesus as He passes through Samaria on the way to Jerusalem . . . to the cross.
They ask the Master Healer to have mercy. He does, without a touch. He speaks a healing instruction to go and show themselves to the priests. The ancient law gave authority for priests to declare the unclean, disease free.
The short story in the gospel of Luke (17:11-19) tells how the ten afflicted men went in faith and were healed on the way.
Flesh made fresh. Cleansed.
They got their life back! They could return to society and to their families.
But, only one . . . turned back to Jesus and gave praise out loud.
On his face. At His feet.
When we believe the blessing more than the disease it takes us deep.
Gratitude is deeper than thanks.
Jesus saw only one bow. He noticed ungratefulness and asked, “Weren’t ten men healed? Where are the nine?”
I have journals, decades high, filled with scribbled and yellow-highlighted gratitude re-telling God’s drastically divine touch on our lives. Recycled mercy.
All of life is grace. It’s not about entitlement. When grace and good visit me, I want to be the one and not the nine. A month of infectious illness gave dramatic reason to turn back and say thank you when I was finally able to have my children, grandchildren, and caring friends visit.
When life stops our usual rush and schedule . . . we pause. Grace.
Verse 19 records what Jesus said to the grateful one, “your faith has made you well.” The Greek translation, your faith has saved you . . .
We were all dead, the (un)grateful dead . . . made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
Healed and cleansed. That’s radical healing deserving radical praise!
Let our memory of mercy have us thank and bow.
Verna
Tammie Buckwalter says
February 7, 2013 at 8:43 amGiving thanks to the only One who deserves our gratitude with you and for a healthy you today!
vernabowman says
February 7, 2013 at 4:38 pm. . . to the only One . . . so glad we can still hook up by blog, Tammie . . . miss you!
Anita McElwee says
February 7, 2013 at 9:19 amDear Verna, so glad you are now well. Thank you for your posts. I have been challenged to acknowledge God’s small mercies through the day as soon as He blesses me; to rest in his provision and be grateful. I am so glad He has the broadest of shoulders so that He can put up with our imperfections.
Anita
vernabowman says
February 7, 2013 at 4:36 pmI like that . . . our Father has broad shoulders to carry us. Thank you for your faithful visits, Anita!
Glenda Mills says
February 7, 2013 at 10:47 amVerna,
I’m right behind you my friend. Needing to bow with gratitude as I remember His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and this riveting song. Hugs!
vernabowman says
February 7, 2013 at 4:35 pm. . . a good song filled with truth. Bowing together, dear friend, giving thanks for healing. So glad you and Dave are doing better.
Laura says
February 7, 2013 at 7:42 pmWOW! Verna, I love this!!! And the Casting Crown’ song with this blog…DOUBLE WOW! Lord Jesus, may I be the one the comes back to praise You and bow low before You! Thank you, Verna for this great reminder that it’s all God’s grace in Jesus.
verna says
February 8, 2013 at 7:27 amMy prayer, also . . . may I always be the one. Thank you, Laura for your kind comment.
Charles Derr says
February 7, 2013 at 11:18 pmDear Verna, I can’t come up with any words to tell you how much your postings help me in praising the Lord, loving, feeling closer, delighting in Him, until I almost have to catch my breath. God has blessed you. I know you have trudged through many, many valleys. I have wondered why? You understand. One thing I believe and that is that the Joy of the Lord is our strength. In His Love, Sandy Derr
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 11:01:29 +0000 To: c_derr@msn.com
vernabowman says
February 8, 2013 at 7:25 amAnd if we believe that one thing, Sandy . . . His joy is our strength, we can get through the valleys. Thank you for praying me through them . . . I so appreciate you comment and faithfulness.
Janeen Ippolito says
February 10, 2013 at 12:47 amI’m glad to hear you’re recovered once more! Great post, with your usual thoughtful insight. I was blessed to teach that passage to my students a month ago, and was struck anew by the attitudes of the nine vs. the one–and the one was a Samaritan outcast! No doubt his humble status among the Jewish people was a reason for his sheer gratitude. He knew he did not deserve to be healed, did not deserve even those “crumbs from the master’s table,” and yet Jesus healed him anyway. What an incredible sign of His grace, mercy, and compassion!
verna says
February 10, 2013 at 5:20 pmI can always depend on you for deeper places . . . i love this! I also appreciate “he knew he was undeserving, even the crumbs beneath the table” . . our women’s class spoke on this just this morning. And what grace, mercy, and compassion . . . thanks, Janeen.