Read Luke 17: 11-19
I have always found this story in Luke interesting. Jesus heals 10 men with leprosy and surprisingly, only one comes back to thank him. As someone who was raised to always write prompt formal thank-you notes when I ever received a gift, I have always found the remaining 9 lepers to be appallingly rude. How could they be so inconsiderate and ungrateful to Jesus? However, the more I read this story, the more I discover that I am a lot more like the 9 lepers than I would like to admit.
Let's take a closer look at the passage. Verses 11-12 tell us that Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem and was entering a village. He suddenly hears 10 lepers cry out to Him from a distance, begging Him for mercy (12-13). Why were these men all together in one place outside the village? Leprosy was a skin disease that caused more than just physical affliction in those times. In addition to the physical pain and discomfort, people with leprosy faced the humiliation and loneliness of being ostracized from society. Lepers were considered to be "unclean" and were not allowed to associate with others. They had to live outside the cities in leper colonies with others like themselves. These men in the story were not only physically suffering, but they were also suffering from being isolated from their homes and families.
When Jesus hears their cry to Him for mercy, He immediately tells them to go and show themselves to the priest (14). Jewish law stated that those who had formerly had leprosy and had recovered had to show themselves to the priest. The priest would examine the leper and reinstate him as "clean" if he had indeed made a full recovery. The 10 men obey Jesus' order, and as they are walking to see the priest, they are healed from their disease (14). What an amazing display of Jesus' power! He only had to give the command, and they were healed! Can you imagine how overcome with joy and gratitude these 10 men must have felt? They had each witnessed a powerful miracle before their very eyes!
However, we only see the reaction of one of the lepers. The other lepers went their separate ways...perhaps to tell their friends and families the good news. We cannot know for sure where they went after discovering that they were healed. We do see what one of them did. He immediately started loudly proclaiming praises to God and glorifying His name! He went right back to find Jesus, falling at His feet in humble adoration and grateful praise. This man gave all of the glory to the Lord for what had happened. Interestingly, we discover that this man was a Samaritan. At least some of the others must have been Jews, because Jesus is surprised that this Gentile is the only one to return, stating in verse 18, "Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?" Jesus' own people--the chosen people of God--failed to give God glory for this miracle. Instead, the foreigner who knew nothing of God or His covenant was able to recognize God's power displayed in Jesus and praise Him in faith.
As I meditate on this passage, I start to recall all of the times that I have failed to thank God and give Him the credit He is due. How many times have I asked God to protect me in travels and failed to thank Him and give Him the glory for my safety when I arrived at my destination? How many times in school did I ask Him for help on a test or project and then forget to glorify Him when receiving a good grade? What about you? Do you remember to thank the Lord and give Him the glory for answered prayers in your life?
When Lee and I were on our honeymoon in St. Lucia, we stopped in a local church on Sunday morning. It was a small one-room building with no air conditioning. The people in the congregation were poor and uneducated. However, when they started praising God, I was so humbled by their gratitude and joy expressed to our Father! They worshipped through song for over an hour. Throughout their worship service, they would often sing the same phrase, "Thank you Jesus, Thank you, Thank you, Jesus; Praise God." They sang these words with so much sincerity and passion. They were overflowing with gratitude to the Lord, and it was apparent! I felt so convicted as I watched these people glorifying God so joyously and openly, without shame or restraint.
Ask God to forgive you for all of the times you have failed to thank Him and give Him the glory He deserves. Ask Him to give you a spirit of thanksgiving and start praising His name today!
