Article written by
Arlene Pellicane
November 23, 2017
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“One
of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He
threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan.”
It was a typical scene at a kids’ birthday party.
Thank you.
I challenge you to think of two more beautiful words.
That was one well-mannered, grateful and considerate child.
It’s easy to breeze through life without stopping to say thank you.
Whether you’re facing a clerk at the store, a bus driver, restaurant
employee or family member, we can move on quickly instead of pausing to
give thanks.
Apparently people moved along quickly in ancient times, too.
The
story behind our key verse is only recorded in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus was
on His way to Jerusalem, and as He entered a certain village, ten men
who had leprosy standing far away called upon Him for mercy. He told
them to go and show themselves to the priests. The priest was the one
who could issue a life-giving paper, a certificate of release indicating
they were disease-free, and therefore allowed to return to their homes
and public life once again.
Jesus
didn’t heal the men on the spot. They were healed on the way. As they
followed and obeyed Jesus’ orders, they were healed of their leprosy.
Imagine their disbelief and joy as they saw their skin repair itself and
look like new again. That was impossible apart from God’s power!
One of these 10 returned and thanked Jesus: “when
he saw he was healed, [he] came back, praising God in a loud voice. He
threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16).
Jesus completely, supernaturally, wonderfully changed 10 lives … but only one person came back to say thank you.
Ten people had the same experience, but one responded differently than the rest.
“Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’” (Luke 17:17-18, NIV).
Do
you hear the surprise and disappointment in these questions? The nine
Jewish men kept their blessings to enjoy but didn’t return to
acknowledge the giver. The most unlikely to return — the Samaritan who
knew the least about God — was the one to receive not only a physical
healing, but a spiritual one.
Jesus said to him in verse 19, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
The power of God cleansed him outwardly in his body as he went in
obedience, then cleansed him inwardly from sin when he returned to give
thanks.
He would have missed out on
that blessing if he hadn’t returned to thank Jesus. Gratitude paved the
way for a double blessing — healing for the body and restoration for
the soul.
Today, gratitude still paves the way to blessing in both body and soul.
It’s easy to look down on
the nine Jewish men who didn’t bother to say thank you. But maybe you
and I would have done the same thing. Maybe they were so
excited about being healed and getting that certificate of release, and
seeing their wives and children again that they could hardly wait to go
home! After all, if they traveled back to Jesus, maybe Jesus wouldn’t be
there anymore so why bother with the trip?
Yet the trip to thank Jesus
wasn’t only the appropriate response; it would have been a journey to
unbelievable wholeness for those nine Jewish men.
As we celebrate a national
day of Thanksgiving in the United States, let us all learn from these 10
men and the little boy at the birthday party. Although it may take some
effort, it’s always best to pause … and say thank you.
Lord Jesus, forgive me
for not saying “Thank You.” I repent of focusing on the things I don’t
have, instead of the blessings You have given me. I want to be like the
one who returned to express gratitude. Thank You for saving me,
forgiving me and providing for my needs each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
1 Chronicles 29:12-13, “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler
of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give
strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your
glorious name.” (NIV)
Psalm 100:4, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.” (NASB)
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