Give Thanks

Luke 17:15-16 - Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan

Ten men had been suffering both physical disability and a rejection from society I am not sure any of us can fully appreciate. The disease of leprosy had ruined their lives. They were forever marked as “unclean,” unable to have jobs, families, or anything close to a normal life. The day Jesus came to their town, though, all of that changed.

They even had to “stand at a distance” (vs 12) when they called to Jesus, but he heard and responded. Rather than healing them immediately, he sent them on their way to follow the Old Testament law’s instructions to “show themselves to the priests” (vs 14). The healing occurred as they obeyed. All ten got it right so far: They asked. They obeyed. They were healed. Their lives were changed. The dreaded diseased that cut them off from society and all hope was gone. Life began anew for each them that day.

However, one of the ten did something else. He came back to Jesus and said, “Thanks.” Jesus honored him, even though as a Samaritan he had been a double outcast. Jesus asked, “Where are the other nine?” Jesus presented this man’s response as a model we should all follow.

We have all received so much. Whether it is family, friends, food, a home, a job, wonderful experiences, or even just life itself, we all have many reasons to be thankful. It is an extra step to acknowledge the Source of all that we have, but it is a vital step. Not just today, but always, let us all be thankful.