The One Who Returned
November 12
The One Who Returned
Matthew (Tolu) Olowoyeye
Founder · The Berean
Luke 17:15-16
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God… giving Him thanks.
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Ten lepers cried out to Jesus for mercy, and He healed them all. But only one, one of them, turned back to say thank you. The other nine received the same astonishing mercy and simply went on their way, glad for the gift but forgetful of the Giver. Jesus marked the absence: "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" The story is a mirror held up to the human heart, and the question it asks is uncomfortable: which one am I?
It is sobering that even a miracle did not produce gratitude in nine out of ten. They were not wicked men; they were simply caught up in their joy and their plans, and forgot to return and thank the One who had healed them. How easily we do the same, receiving God's gifts, even His remarkable answers to prayer, and then hurrying on with the gift while forgetting the Giver. The one who returned shows us the better way: he let the gift drive him back to the feet of Jesus, with loud thanksgiving. Gratitude, for him, was not an afterthought but a return.
Do not be one of the nine today. When God blesses you, turn back. Let every gift send you back to the Giver with thanks.
Take Into The Day
When something goes well today, a prayer answered, a need met, a kindness received, make a point of "returning," like the one leper, to thank God specifically for it. Don't hurry on with the gift while forgetting the Giver.
Prayer
Lord, I do not want to be one of the nine who took the gift and forgot the Giver. When You bless me today, help me turn back, like the one who returned, to thank You. Let every good gift send me back to Your feet with gratitude. Amen.
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