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rl69
11-23-2016, 07:43 AM
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.—Luke 17:15–16 (http://harvest.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4f108f827aed8d503b5fca9fa&id=d9784be83a&e=3dd732485b)In Luke 17 we find the story of some men who had a lot to give thanks for. They were miraculously touched by Jesus. Complete outcasts, they were the very scourge of society. These men had leprosy, and at that time in history, you couldn't get any lower. They were forbidden to have contact with anyone who didn't have that incurable disease. They lived isolated, miserable, and lonely lives.

Yet these ten men called out to Jesus and asked for His healing touch . . . and Jesus gave it to them. However, only one of them took time to return and give thanks. The Bible tells us this man was a Samaritan. That may not mean a lot to us today, but in those days, Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with each other. The Jews looked down on the Samaritans. However, it wasn't one of the sons of Abraham who came back to give thanks; it was a Samaritan.

Not only did this man come back and give thanks, but verses 15 and 16 tell us that he "came back to Jesus, shouting, 'Praise God!' He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan." The term shouting used here is translated from the same Greek words that form our word megaphone. The Samaritan was a megaphone of praise.

This caused Jesus to ask a question: "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:17–18 (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/x-apple-data-detectors://3)).

In effect, the Lord is still asking this question today. Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God?

There is so much to give thanks for. Have you remembered to thank Him?

Boaz
11-23-2016, 08:00 AM
A good reminder . We constantly take GOD for granted not giving him credit and praise . Like a child not appreciating or acknowledging the protection and love of their earthly father . Thank you rl69 .

Preacher Jim
11-23-2016, 11:25 AM
do we praise the Lord for all the things he does for us everyday or take them for granted. RL that is a challenging thought

Blackwater
11-23-2016, 12:33 PM
Once again, such a great example of how it's not always the folks WE think will respond to The Word, but often it's the most un-likely, at least in our limited views, that actually respond. What a great lesson that is! Too many Christians have swallowed the social structure deeper than they have the principles Christ tried to teach us to live by. Even ugly, destitute, stinky people need to be witnessed to. It's more difficult for us, since almost all of us don't really want to deal with people like that, but Christ told us what to do, and He NEVER gives us bad advice! Is there one among us who's never heard a story about someone on skid row, hearing the Word, responding, and changing their lives utterly? How many times do we need to re-hear these things to get it through our thick skulls that God didn't ONLY die for us, or the "neat and clean," but for the lowliest, dirtiest, and most disgusting among us.

Yeah, it takes a special sort of courage and determination to witness to these, but who among us in this world needs it more?