If there is one sin that most prevalent today, it is the sin of ingratitude. God does so much for us. Our indebtedness to him is enormous and yet we rarely or at least infrequently offer thanks for what he has done. In fact, most professing Christians don’t even offer thanks over their meals much less offer thanks over all that God does in their lives.
Our passage of scripture today reveals a healing that Jesus does over 10 lepers. That is a huge miracle but it's not what this passage is about. The focal point of this passage is this: only 1 leper came back after being healed to ask for forgiveness.
Let's talk about leprosy first. From what I'm told - it's not the leprosy that kills a person but the absence of pain. Their hand could land in the fire and they wouldn't feel anything. They could bleed out without them even knowing that that they were cut.
It was a terrible disease that destroyed their bodies. It was highly contagious. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is the separation from family, friends and society that they have to live with.
I love this story. Jesus comes into the village and meets with them. There is no problem or disease that our Lord and savior is afraid of. Jesus went out of His way to a place that man had proclaimed as "unlawful" and reached in out to them to bring healing and deliverance.
When they could not get to Jesus - Jesus got to them.
Now look at verses 13 and 14. “And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.”
All ten utter the same prayer. Notice two things here quickly.
They cried out in prayer to Jesus for healing, which Jesus does. He then tells them to go to the priest and show them that they were healed.
They were all healed of their leprosy. Yet only one of the ten returned to offer thanksgiving.
I see God touch many lives but I also often see an ingratitude for what God has done for us.
All of the men had reason to praise God, but only one actually gave it.
The Object Of Praise- Where are the other nine? I have no doubt that after they were declared clean by the priest they made their way to be with their family and their friends. To hug and kiss the wife and the children. To visit with Mom and Dad. To talk with friends. Their minds were occupied on all that the blessing brought to their lives. But one. One loved his wife and children just as much as the others. One wanted to hug and kiss his wife and children just as much as the others. One wanted to spend time with his friends just as much as the others. One wanted to enjoy the blessing just as much as the others.
But one had his priorities in order. One did not get so wrapped up in the blessing that he forgot the blesser. One put family, friends and fellowship on hold so that he could worship the one that made his being with his family and friends possible.
Notice that with a loud voice he glorified God. With the same loudness and intensity he cried for mercy, he glorified God.
Many times we cry loud for help and low with praise. But with the same zeal we sought help we should praise him. And he fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.
He was not a Jew, he was not worthy of this healing. He was not worthy to receive God’s help. But by grace he was healed and he comes to worship the one who unconditionally healed him.
Perhaps you've never been healed of a terrible disease like leprosy. But that doesn't mean that Godhasn't done anything for you.
I read a story recently about a father and mother of a young man killed in the military. One day they came to the pastor and told him the wanted to give a monetary gift as a memory to honor their son who died in battle. The pastor said, "That’s a wonderful gesture on your part. He asked if it was ok to tell the congregation and they said that it was. So the next Sunday he told the congregation of the gift given in memory of the dead son. On the way home from church, another couple were driving down the highway when the father said to his wife, "Why don’t we give a gift because of our son?" And his wife said, "But our son didn’t die in any conflict! Our son is still alive!" Her husband replied, "That’s exactly my point! That’s all the more reason we ought to give in thanks to God."
You have much to be thankful for today. Take a moment right now and thank God for what He's given you, for your family, for your health, etc. You've been blessed of God by so many things. Give Him thanks today.
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