Meditation for November 20, 2008

From The Rev. Peter A. Munson

Luke 17:11-19

 

11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee.  12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him.  Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"  14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests."  And as they went, they were made clean.  15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.  16 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him.  And he was a Samaritan.  17 Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean?  But the other nine, where are they?  18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"  19 Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

 

Gratitude and Faith

 

A few questions and thoughts about this passage:

 

What percentage of people on the planet are truly grateful to God for the blessings that God bestows upon them?  Is it more than 10%?

 

There is a very close connection between praising God and being thankful.  (See verses 15 and 16)  Our main worship service every Sunday, which we call "the eucharist", means "thanksgiving".

 

There is often a very close connection between gratitude and being faithful.  (See verses 13, 16, and 19)

 

There is a high correlation between being faithful and being well.  (See verse 19)  Did you know that people who attend church regularly live longer than those who don't, and that, when surveyed, they also tend to be happier people?

 

When was the last time you or I prostrated ourselves before God?

 

When was the last time you knew your need for God was so great that you prayed, "Lord, have mercy on me!"?

 

Does it ever surprise us when "a foreigner" is more faithful than we are?  What does it mean that many Christians who live in the developing world now think that the U.S. is a fertile mission field - that we are the ones who need to hear the Gospel of Christ?

 

What must it have meant for these lepers to no longer have to keep their distance from the rest of society?  How were their lives radically changed by this healing that they received from Jesus?

 

And finally... do you think that the other nine ever came to their senses and sought Jesus out, so that they, too, could thank him?

 

Just a few things to think about...