A Heart of Thanksgiving

[Read:  Luke Chapters 17-18]

Jesus was passing through Samaria and Galilee, enroute to Jerusalem.  As He entered a certain village, He met 10 lepers, "who stood AFAR OFF."  They weren't CLOSE to Him...yet they shouted out to Him, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

Jesus responded to them, saying, "Go show yourselves to the priests."  And as they went, they were cleansed.  (Healing is sometimes "a process."  It is often a progressive work--and it involves our participation.)  The priests were the physicians of the day and in that culture.  They needed to seek the priests approval before they would be allowed back into the temple to worship.  This was The Law!

Later, ONE returned to thank Jesus....only ONE returned to worship Him!  Only ONE drew CLOSE to Him!  The 9 remained still AFAR OFF--returning to their religious roots (legalism and The Law) rather than worshipping the one, true High Priest!

Although the 10 were physically healed--only ONE was made completely "whole" in his soul and spirit. 

John 4:24 - God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Jesus is THE WAY...THE TRUTH...and He gives us LIFE--more abundant life, everlasting life, a more complete life when we draw CLOSE to Him!

We need to GO to Him, so we can come to KNOW Him (develop a deep, personal relationship with Him)....then we will truly learn to love and worship Him by serving Him all the days of our lives!