One in Ten, Monday, September 27, 2010

Reading: Luke 17:12-19,   12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"

Typically we hear this story used and shared in messages and even within our devotional as an illustration that we should be thankful. Not this time. Men, how many times do we get discouraged from doing good things because we get very little gratitude for it. Yet, the thing is… Jesus himself in this situation had a 10% response of gratitude for performing a miracle. A miracle! These men’s entire lives were changed from that moment. Going from, even as the passage states, “[standing] at a distance” from everyone. Not being able to go home to their families ever again, knowing that their flesh was rotting off and a grotesque and awful death was inevitable… then, suddenly, all of that changes… and ONE came back to say, “Thank you”. A very valuable lesson and encouragement can be gained from this story, in that, just because you don’t see or hear the gratitude, should not stop us from doing those things that we’ve been lead to do for others. Although, you may never see or hear from the other 90% does not mean that you have not changed their lives forever. If you notice, Jesus didn’t say after that day, “Ya know what, I’m just not making a difference or it’s just not appreciated; so, I’m going to quit. I’m dying for them anyways, isn’t that enough?” No, he still maintained His ministry to others... even to that 90% who aren’t grateful.

In what ways have you become discouraged because a seeming lack of response or gratitude?

REVIEW
 
What were you able to do today to either continue or begin making a difference in the lives of others?

What helped you to maintain your focus without it being impacted by appreciation of others or results?