The Healed and The Free

Fools suffered affliction because of their rebellious ways and their sins... Then they cried out to The Lord in their trouble... He sent His word and healed them; He rescued them from the pit... Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love... and announce His works with shouts of joy.

Psalm 107:17-21

While traveling to Jerusalem, as He entered a village 10 men with serious skin diseases met Him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When He saw them He told them, "Go show yourselves to the priests." While they were going, they were healed, but one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and with a loud voice gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan.

Luke 17:11-19

The Father reminds us that His word became flesh and dwells among us. This paradox scripture is a tragedy and a great joy. Only one came back to say thanks to The savior with a very loud voice. So much for faith being a 'quiet and very personal matter.' The Savior loves freedom and the joyful thanksgiving that goes hand in hand with it. The 9 perhaps did not want to be seen with this 'filthy sinner' as he properly expressed his joyful thanks to The Only one to thank. He knew who to thank and He knew how to thank Him. Think about that as you spend your time with Him today. Your health and your freedom exist ONLY in Christ. You are only a foreigner or outsider with Christ when you are duped and choose to be such. If He has healed you and He is your Master, thank Him for both!

Psalm 40:9-10, John 1:12-14

"I had the sense of standing on the threshold of something beautiful and amazing, which my reason had only grasped in part. Like Einstein, I realized that nature only 'shows the lion's tail,' while hinting at the majesty and grandeur of the magnificent animal to which it is attached -- and to which it ultimately leads.

Alister McGrath