ESOCS Devotional 19 October 2022
TEXT: LUKE 17:1-19
MEMORY VERSE: “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'”” Luke17:10
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
What is it with Samaritans who were not regarded as worthy partakers of godly inheritance with the Jews that they always seem to come out better than the Jews? The Samaritan woman readily accepted Jesus as the Messiah, broadcasted the news and when she took Him into the town, the Samaritans readily accepted Him. When the Levite and the Priest refused to show mercy and help the man attacked by robbers, it was a Samaritan that came to his aid and took all necessary steps to ensure he fully recovered. And now again, among ten lepers that were healed, only the Samaritan appreciated what Jesus did and came back and fell at Jesus’s feet in thanksgiving. The others who were most probably Jews took their healing for granted and did not see it necessary to say thank you and give God the glory. Many times people of God grow cold and outsiders are more eager.
Perhaps the more appropriate question to ask should be what is wrong with the Jews? They seem not to be able to see the King and the Messiah in Jesus despite their godly heritage, the testimonies of the Prophets, His announcement by John, His teachings and the great miracles He did among them. Jesus seeing this, denounced those in Israel who did not believe in spite of the great miracles He performed among them. In Matt 11:21-24 He said:
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been
done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it
will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum,
who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done
in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall
be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
The experience of the Israelites is a warning and a lesson to all believers. They allowed their election and sanctification unto God to get into their head so much so that they became conceited. The grace of God and His miracles in their life was a common place occurrence. He had done great things for them and made them stand out among the nations. Unfortunately, they took these things for granted and no longer appreciated God. This was their undoing. When you don’t appreciate God, you lose touch with Him and lose yourself. Israel shot themselves in the foot. Be sure you don’t.
CHALLENGES
- Why do you think new members show more seriousness in prayers?
- Why do older members take things more easy?
PRAYERS
- Gracious Lord, I acknowledge that you are my Lord, the reason why I am. I appreciate you for all you are and all you have done. Be everything to me and remain supreme in my life today and forever. Amen
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ESOCS Devotional 19 October 2022
