Who in the Bible would you like to be? A friend asking me this question suggested people such as King David, Solomon, and Jeremiah. Being known as a king, wise man or prophet is appealing to me. However, later I pondered the thought, "What if I were the grateful leper?" He had an understanding of who Jesus was and a deep gratitude for Him as a result of Jesus’ healing touch. Jesus suggested that his gratitude was connected to not only his physical healing, but to his wholeness.
Jesus came to provide total restoration for me – intending to heal not only my body (perhaps not here, but certainly at my homegoing), but also being the Savior of my spirit and deliverer of my soul. Does it get any better than that? Yet Jesus suggests that my gratitude is an important component of my journey to wholeness.
Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then He said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:17-19) (The word "well" in this passage is from the Greek word, "Sozo", which means "to save – to heal – to deliver – to make thoroughly whole.")
Our faith in Jesus, expressed in gratitude and praise to God, leads to wholeness. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Will you join me in gratitude and praise to God around our dining room tables — just like that leper?
Sharing the journey with you,
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