Lubbock Church - Covenant Life Fellowship

Thanks For Nothing!

There's a story about ten lepers in Luke chapter 17, who desperately wanted to be healed by Jesus. However, according to Levitical law (Leviticus 13-14) they were not allowed to come into close contact with Him, or anyone for that matter, due to their infectious skin disease. Therefore, they called out to Christ from a distance, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us"! They wanted to be healed! Jesus replied, "Go show yourselves to the priests". So, as they went to show themselves to the priests, they realized they had been healed! ONE of the former lepers returned to give THANKS, for NOTHING was on his skin. He was no longer covered with sores! Nothing was on him but clean, renewed skin! When he approached Jesus this time, he fell down at Jesus' feet, and with a LOUD voice glorified God! Amazingly, he was also a Samaritan. Samaritans were not the best of friends with devout Jews...but THIS ONE WAS! Why? Because his life had been changed by a Jew...the KING of the Jews...Jesus Christ!

Interestingly, we who are Christ followers, have just as much to rejoice about as the leper! We too were at one time infected, and apart from God. We were infected with, and separated from God by our sins. We couldn't approach God because our sinfulness disqualified us from entering His Holy presence! However, when the Holy Spirit drew us, we were able to come unto the Father, through the blood sacrifice of Jesus the Son! When we believed, we received life eternal! The ONE who died and rose with resurrection power, was the WAY for us to have LIFE ABUNDANT...and that TRUTH set us free from our former disease! We were no longer separated from the love of God! We were in fact made new! Old things passed away! We were...and ARE...new creatures in Christ Jesus! It is no longer we who live...but Christ Who lives in us! NOW, we can glorify the Lord Jesus Christ! We can glorify God the Father! We can worship in SPIRIT & in TRUTH! We don't have to remain at a safe distance, for He lives IN us! 

The other nine lepers didn't realize the same blessing as the Samaritan! They received healing...but the Samaritan received healing AND experienced the presence of Jesus! Sadly for them, they missed out on getting close to Jesus! The Samaritan got close! So close in fact, that he fell down at the feet of Jesus! It reminds me of Mary at the feet of Jesus. Mary wanted relationship with Jesus! She wanted to have MORE of His attention, so she gave her FULL attention to Him! Wow! The Samaritan leper wanted Jesus' attention as well! Jesus gave it by healing him...the Samaritan wanted to personally thank Jesus...he ran to Jesus...he fell at Jesus' feet...he worshipped Jesus! Jesus in turn, had a conversation with the Samaritan. Their relationship was not built on the miracle...it was built on the compassionate heart of Jesus & the thankful heart of the Samaritan! 

As we gather with our friends and family for Thanksgiving, let us not forget what it is truly about. It's not about the turkey and dressing. It's not about football games. It's about COMPASSION. The compassion of the Heavenly Father for us. It's about grateful hearts that really understand how blessed we are. It's about our relationship with one another, and most importantly...with Jesus. May we ever be mindful of the unconditional love God has for us. May we never take Him for granted! May we never be so distracted by "all the trimmings", that we fail to take time to fall down at His feet and worship Him! May we be like the Samaritan in the story! May we thank Jesus for taking our infection away...may we give thanks, for nothing will be held against us, because He took all of our sin at Calvary!

May you experience GOD'S BEST this Thanksgiving!
Greg McCowen

P.S. - If you feel broken and separated from God, and need someone to talk/pray with, call me at 771-4244...I'd be glad to speak with you! However, if you would rather handle the matter privately, with Jesus alone...below is a prayer you might pray. (He's listening.)

Dear Jesus,

I'm a sinner. Until now, I haven't lived my life for You. But, like the lepers, I want to be changed. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead with life everlasting for anyone who will accept You. I accept You now. I turn from my sin, and from everything that has kept me separated from You. I give You my heart. I give You my soul. I give You complete control of my life. My past...my present...my future...I lay it all at Your feet. Please give me a new life...a new mind...a new spirit. 

From this day forward, help me to put You first in my life. Open the eyes of my heart to the Truth found in Your Word. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, that I might live according to that Truth. Cause me to walk in Your light, and love. Let my life bring You glory, and be a blessing to others. Holding nothing back, I give myself to You...to live according to Your will, not mine. Thank You Jesus, for changing me. Thank You Jesus, for loving me unconditionally. Thank You for hearing, and answering this prayer. In Jesus' Name. Amen.