WOW (Word of the Week) GRATEFULNESS
Luke 17 & 18 gives us a contrasting picture of gratefulness vs. ungratefulness. A principle is taught by our Lord: Gratefulness is a direct result of humility and is demonstrated in our words and actions, specifically in our worship of the Father of Lights with whom there is no variableness of turning (James).
In Luke 17 & 18 we are given two very sharp contrasts which causes us to see that we quickly forget from whom we are blessed, and we fail to respond with appropriate gratitude.
The 9 lepers quickly “forgot” from whom they had received the healing --note they were from Israel, that is implied, but the 1 leper who was grateful was a Samaritan! He returned and worshiped. The Pharisee failed to see all that he had was a direct result of the Father's blessing and instead of worshiping Him he worshiped himself. The Publican saw who he was and was grateful that God would be merciful to him as a sinner. He was the one who went home justified. The ungrateful rich young ruler failed to see that all his riches were a blessing from God and that they were temporary; he worshiped his riches and not God. Bartimaeus was asked a question by our Lord; it was answered and he worshiped and followed Jesus.
Out of all of these only three worshiped Jesus...the leper, the Publican, and Bartimaeus. Interesting the contrast between them and the Pharisee and the rich young ruler. The leper, the Publican, Bartimaeus had a need and when that need was met they were grateful and worshiped. Neither the Pharisee nor the rich young ruler saw their need and thus they worshiped themselves and their riches. They were neither grateful nor humble.
May we remember this idea this week: Lord , open our eyes to see our need that we may be humble before you, grateful and using all we have been given for the kingdom, which Jesus said is within us.
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