June 16 Praise the Lord

Luke 17:11-19 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
 
IN our previous lesson, Jesus taught that kingdom servants did not need thanks or praise for their work. Their opportunities to serve God should be enough to satisfy their hearts. Was Jesus, then, disobeying his own teaching when he said, “Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Was Jesus feeling neglected because only one healed man recognized him for his miraculous work?
    But note. Jesus didn’t say, “Why did no one come to thank me?” But he did say, “Was no one found to return and to give praise to God?” Hear the difference. Jesus’ work on earth was not about himself – even as the Son of God. His work was about demonstrating the Father’s love, compassion, judgment, salvation, forgiveness and mercy to the world. Jesus came to glorify God.
    Our Lord affirmed this the night before the cross in a conversation with his disciples. John 14:8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”  The Healer healed to bring praise to the Father. On this occasion, the Son of God is disappointed and saddened that only one saw his Father’s healing goodness.
    How has God healed you? Are you saved into eternity? He has healed your soul. Are you new in the way you think? He has healed your mind. Are you new in the way you love others? He has healed your heart. Are you new physically in some way?
    Are you then praising God for these miracles?
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the extraordinary work you have done in my life. I bow down and worship you in faith, praising your name to all I meet. Amen.