Chapter 23
An Attitude of Gratitude
The Reading: Luke 17:11-17
The Problem:
In this passage, on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus was traveling the barren landscape along the border of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village near the border, ten men, all lepers, greeted him. Within this group, the Bible tells us that at least one of them was a Samaritan. And even though Samaritans and Jews normally didn’t mix together in that day, there he was with the Jews. The reason for their fellowship was simple. They shared a common misfortune.
Leprosy was one of the most dreaded and also misunderstood diseases of that day. Lepers were required to stand at a distance of at least 150 feet away from a healthy person. When lepers entered a city, they were required to wear a bell around their necks, like a necklace, and ring the bell shouting “Unclean,” so that others would be sure to stay away from them. The only people they could get near were others with the same disease. Because of their mutual misery, this terrible disease broke down racial barriers and they banded together.
These ten lepers kept the proper distance from Jesus, but not only shouted, “Unclean! Unclean,” as required by the law, they also shouted, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
The Turning Point:
Jesus took a good look at them, and said, ”Go and show yourselves to the priests.” The law was, once there was a skin infection of some type and a person had been declared a leper, if he thought he was healed the individual had to to show himself to the priest. If the priests were not sure that the leper was healed, isolation would be required for another seven days. Then, after the seven days if there was still no change, the priest would pronounce the individual still unclean. But if the skin were clear, the leper would be pronounced clean by the priests.
The Miracle That Followed:
I wonder what the lepers thought when they were told to go show themselves to the priests. There had been no big ceremony, and Jesus didn’t lay hands on the men or anoint them with oil. He actually hadn’t done anything special for them, except take the time to look at them and speak to them.
But the men obeyed and turned around to go and show themselves to the priests. On the way they noticed something amazing. They could feel a current of health and vigor rushing through every tissue of their bodies. They looked down and saw their skin cleared, and knew they were completely cured. Nine of the former lepers continued on to the priests to be pronounced clean. They were just too excited to remember to thank God. They couldn’t wait to do the things they had missed out on doing for so long. They were thrilled that they would be able to pick up their former lives again and see their families and friends.
But the attitude of the Samaritan was different. He knew such an enormous gift could have only come directly from the Lord. He had a different attitude, one of gratitude. As he returned, he praised God, publicly acknowledging Him as the One to whom he owed the great blessing he had just now received. Also, he fell on his face and thanked Jesus, for in the Master he recognized God’s representative, and God’s power and love operating through Jesus.
The Bottom Line:
Jesus was grieved because only one of the ten, a Samaritan, returned to thank Him for what He had done. But then, Jesus did a second thing for him - He forgave his sins. The other nine lepers were healed, but they were not saved
In the south, there are two things we try to teach our children as they are growing up. One is to always respond to questions with, “Yes, sir,” or “No, sir,” “Yes, ma’am” or “No ma’am.” If my children just answered with a “Yes,” I would ask, “Yes what?” And they would answer, “Yes, ma’am.” The other thing I tried to instill in my children, and am now trying to teach my grandchildren, is to say, “Thank you.” For some reason, this seems to be a courtesy that isn’t automatic for them yet.
Gratefulness is an attitude of the mind and a condition of the heart. The outward expression of sincere thankfulness flows from a heart that appreciates every blessing the Lord has showered down upon us.
Did you notice that Jesus was offended that the other nine lepers didn’t return to say “Thank you”? Let’s not be like those nine lepers. From now on, let’s never overlook a blessing or take a gift from God for granted. Let’s start every prayer with praise and thanksgiving for all He has done for us in the past. Let’s recognize all the promises He has kept over the years and shower Him with words of worship and thanks. He appreciates our taking notice and thanking Him.
