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Luke 17:11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, l who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this s foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

The account of the ten lepers holds a simple theme that I have missed for a long time. Jesus is entering a village and the outcast lepers meet Him as He is about to enter. Their skin disease would define them as someone who is unclean and separated from the people until it passed or they died. They were referred to simply as lepers. Just like we are called Americans because we live in the US, their identity lay in the fact that they lived in an unclean body.

As Jesus approaches the village, they call Him master and ask for mercy. He tells them to go and show themselves to the priest. As they went they were cleansed and the life altering leprosy was healed. Jesus had instructed, they had obeyed and mercy was shown to all of them. Only one of them however turned back to worship Jesus. Only one in ten recognized His power and majesty and on fell on his face at the feet of Jesus. Turns out he was a Samaritan which would of made him the bottom rung of the least ladder as a leper - Samaritan.

So what do make of it as far as salvation goes? Were they all healed and saved? Were they all healed, but only one saved? It amazes me how confused we have become at trying to define who is a Christian or Christ follower and who isn't. Throughout the Bible the words "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and soul and strength and love your neighbor as your self" are used to define the faithful. Jesus tells the lawyer in the parable of the Good Samaritan that this is the key to eternal life.

So back to the account, how many are worshipping Jesus? Only one. Yes they are all healed as Jesus graciously works those miracles, but there is only one man who becomes a Christian as a result. The others may become one later, but they don't here as they consume the grace of Jesus and do not return to Worship the giver of it.

Now this is the key point for us as it is a danger in 2010 in America for us to do the same as the other 9 lepers and just consume Jesus's grace, but not worship the giver even though we may casually tip our hat to Him. There is a lot of common Grace that Jesus has shown America. Alot. If you don't believe that go and spend a couple of days in places like India, Iraq, West Africa and parts of Central America where life consists mostly of a hot, dusty struggle to live a short, dismal life. The question that we all must answer is, "are we worshipping Christ?" He has chosen to give us so much grace in this World it is baffling. Our flesh will make every attempt for us to just keep on moving through life, without ever returning to the feet of the one who gave it to us. The gifts and grace of Christ are ultimately just a scent trail back to the Giver so that we can thank Him and Glorify His goodness.

So what does your life attest? Are you glad to be at His feet in Praise, or on your own way busied by something else?