Luke 17:11-19
"One of them....threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him - and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? ...Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?'"
(Luke 17:15-18)
If we were to count all the requests the Lord has granted to us, would they equal all the times we have expressed our gratitude? Probably not.
Of the ten lepers who asked to be healed by Jesus, all ten took Him at His word. They obeyed His command to show themselves to the priests, even though they had not yet been healed. However, only one returned to say thank you when the healing actually occurred. It's not that the others were ungrateful. They just seemed more concerned with getting on with their lives than they were with honoring the One who made it possible.
Before we criticize these nine men, perhaps we should examine ourselves. Do we thank the Lord as often as we present our requests? If we spend a month appealing to God for a particular request, do we thank Him for at least that long? Or do we move on to our next appeal, His mercy taken for granted without a second thought?
Gratitude is not just an attitude. It is an antidote against seeking God's hand without also drawing near to His heart.
INSIGHT
HOW OFTEN DO YOU THANK THE LORD FOR HIS MERCY? ADD A "GRATITUDE LIST" TO YOUR QUIET TIME AND DRAW NEAR TO HIS HEART.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Jeremiah 35-36
Psalm 119:121-176
1 Corinthians 13
Luke 17:11-19
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Footnotes:
a. Luke 17:12 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
THE BATTLE
The greatest warrior in history was a gentle man who was humiliated, beaten, and mocked as he was led to his death. And this warrior's battle can make all the difference in your life today.
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