Are we busy to stop and see the change in us?. Have things changed in me and around me, that I am not aware of?. Are we going through life without noticing the beauty around us but only looking for reasons to be unhappy and complain?. Take time to see the change. It takes an effort to do it, it is a deliberate act.

Lk 17:11-19, is a classic example of how we move on without acknowledging the change and in the process miss out on change maker.

There are four things to notice in this passage

1. RECEIVED HEALING(v.12)

They stood at the entrance and cried out. The reason they stood out is because they were not allowed to mingle with the society because of their condition. Their cry was so loud that the Lord saw and acted to deliver them. One was a Samaritan. Is it not interesting that Jews and Samaritans cannot come together otherwise it is their condition that brought them together. The Lord did not give preference to the Jews but all those who came for healing received.

2. REALIZED HE WAS HEALED (V.15)

This is the key to praising God. It is the seeing that made the difference. All of them were healed but only one saw the difference. The others were on their way to show to the priests. It was not negligence but they were busy on the road to show the priest. The Samaritan was also with them but he saw that he was healed.

3. REMEMBERED THE HEALER (v.15)

The Samaritan not only realized that he was healed but he also remembered the source of His healing and got back to Him. That is something that we need to know.  How often the excitement of healing or deliverance has kept us away from remembering the source. We talk about the healing, share about the healing but we forget to talk about the healer.

4. RETURNED TO THE HEALER (v.15)

I was very surprised with the Samaritan’s response. He could have in his heart quietly thanked the Lord and continued the journey along with others. He could have said to himself the Jews themselves are not saying anything why should I alone make a big issue of it. His response was so different. He never waited for them, they were moving forward but he returned to acknowledge the source of all blessing. A thankful heart is the result of realizing, remembering and returning.

It is possible for us to walk through the next few days with the excitement of entering the New Year and miss out on realizing the hand of God that led us thus far. Let us celebrate Him with a heart of thanksgiving. Stop, realize, remember and return to give thanks.

WISH YOU A BLESSED SEASON OF CHRISTMAS AND A NEW YEAR. MAY THE LORD BE PLEASED WITH OUR ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE?  STOP TO SEE HIS OFFER OF GRACE THAN TO KEEP MOVING WITH A HEART OF UNGRATITUTUDE.

Benjamin C A
National Director