Thankfulness

Introduction

Daily we receive countless blessings: food, shelter, clothes, running water, transportation, air conditioning, entertainment, education, friends, family, jobs, freedom, and countless other gifts. Yet which of these do we deserve? Which did we create? Which grew entirely out of our own will and ability? Each day we must remember how much God has given to us. As we prepare to worship, let us enter God’s throne room with thankfulness in our hearts.

Miracle

Jesus is heading to Jerusalem on his final trip, a journey filled with calls to follow him and to understand what it means to become his disciple. Somewhere along the way, Jesus enters an unnamed village where ten men are afflicted with some type of skin disease. The consequences of this illness are devastating—they are separated from society and their families, forbidden from engaging life in a normal way. They are required to shout warnings at anyone who comes near, declaring themselves unclean. Imagine the shame of telling anyone who approaches that you cannot be touched. Imagine being unable to see your wife, your children, your parents, your friends.

When Jesus enters, these ten men shout to him, asking to be healed. Two things are noteworthy here. First, they know who Jesus is and what he can do. By calling him master, they reveal that they see Jesus as superior and capable of compassion. Second, the very fact that they shout to Jesus demonstrates a certain element of faith.

Jesus does not come near the men. Instead, he returns their request with a simple command: go show yourselves to the priest. The priests were responsible for pronouncing that the men were healed and thus releasing them to return to society and family. Notice that the text tells us they were healed while they were going to the priest—not immediately. The fact that all ten run toward the priest demonstrates great faith. They were not yet healed, but they believed Jesus would heal them. And on their way, they are healed.

One of the ten returns to express his thanks face to face—or rather, face to feet. Luke adds very quickly that the man was a Samaritan, making clear that the other nine were probably Jewish. Jesus then asks three rhetorical questions.

Were not all ten cleansed? Yes, all ten received mercy and healing. Where are the other nine? The question is not directed at the returning man but rather supports what the Samaritan is doing. Where is the praise of the others? Jesus is rebuking and indicting the nine who did not return to express thanks, and their lack of gratitude is noted. One could argue that in their great excitement of being healed, they rushed to the priest and then quickly sought to reunite with their families. But this explanation pushes the text too far. Clearly Jesus endorses the Samaritan’s response.

In verse 19, Jesus tells the man to go, for his faith has made him well. This word—used also in Luke 7:50 when Jesus tells the sinful woman her faith has “saved” her, and in Luke 8:48 when the woman who touches his garment is told her faith has “healed” her—carries different potential meanings depending on context. Is Jesus telling the Samaritan that his faith has healed him? I do not think so. The other nine were healed by their faith as well. Rather, I believe the intent is that the Samaritan received something the other nine did not. The Samaritan acknowledged what the other nine did not—that Jesus is God’s representative. This confession, seen in his praise at the feet of Jesus, demonstrates that salvation has been given to this man.

The Point

There are two points to discern here. First, thankfulness is the response to mercy. The words “thank you” should easily come from our lips. Compassion and mercy generate a grateful heart, and those who live in this world without thankfulness are missing out. Who picks up your trash in your office? Have you told that person “thank you”? The Christian is aware of the mercy of others and expresses thanks. The Christian is aware of the mercy of God and expresses thanks. To receive mercy without thanks is to take it for granted or worse to presume that it is deserved. Our expression of thanks acknowledges a truth—we cannot make it in this world without others and the extension of mercy toward us. Jesus healed without thanks, but it was with thankfulness that the Samaritan received even more.

This leads to the second point. God’s grace and mercy are extended to all, but many never receive the full benefits. Only one of the ten received the full benefit of what Jesus offered. The other nine went home renewed in their relationships, but they did not come into relationship with Jesus. They missed out on the fuller benefit. Day by day, every human being receives mercy and grace from God—sunshine and rain, air to breathe, potential for relationships. Yet day by day, some take such things for granted and miss out on the greater benefit: relationship with the Creator and Savior. Too often as God’s people we miss the bigger picture. Acts of mercy are opportunities to see the One who gives all good gifts and to be in relationship with Him.

So what are you thankful for? Do you need to add relationship with God and spiritual family to your list? Are you missing the full benefits of being in relationship with God?

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