Jesus seemed amazed. Nine lepers had been healed but only one had come back: "Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" ( Luke 17:1-19 )
The deal was that he had come back to Jesus the Giver of the gift. The gift of healing was sure great but coming to thank and praise the Giver was even better. Jesus told him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." They had all been healed, but this man was well (or whole, having been saved in the Greek). His healing had penetrated his soul.
Sure the others were doing what He had told them: ("Go, show yourselves to the priests.") And they were probably excited about getting on home to family and friends to share this wonderful life changing news of healing. They might have even thought to thank Almighty God on the way for this blessing.
But one had come back. And he was an outcast Samaritan. One of that hated sect that had messed up in the past and didn't do all the law and worship right. But oh, how he was grateful! ("praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him").
But one had come back. And he was an outcast Samaritan. One of that hated sect that had messed up in the past and didn't do all the law and worship right. But oh, how he was grateful! ("praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him").
The deal was that he had come back to Jesus the Giver of the gift. The gift of healing was sure great but coming to thank and praise the Giver was even better. Jesus told him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." They had all been healed, but this man was well (or whole, having been saved in the Greek). His healing had penetrated his soul.
Lord, help us to come back to You this Thanksgiving. May Your work in us penetrate our soul and spirit so that we offer heartfelt praise and are made whole.
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