Don't Forget Gratitude

 “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no returned to give praise to God except this foreigner? ”                                                                                                                                            Luke 17:17-18 (NIV)

Jesus and the guys are headed for Jerusalem. They are skirting Samaria, because, well that’s what the Israelites did. I find it interesting that in this instance he’s going around, when it seems Jesus doesn’t have the same prejudices against the Samaritans as the others. After all he talked to the woman at the well and her village believed the kingdom news. He also used a Samaritan as an example of who a neighbor is. Yet here we are, Jesus and the guys going around.

As they are entering a village there are ten men all with leprosy, standing a way off and shouting, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” (Luke 17:12-13) Jesus from a distance tells them to “Go show yourselves to the priest. As they went, they were healed” (Luke 17:14). One of the men realizing what had happened, goes back praising God and falls at Jesus’ feet giving thanks. Luke identifies the man as a Samaritan (Luke 17:16). Questions from Jesus incoming.

Jesus, apparently speaking to the man and those around him, asked this week’s questions. Weren’t there ten made well? Where are the other nine? Has no one else returned to praise God except this foreigner? It would seem we could take that last question to mean the other nine were Jews. Nine men healed of a condition that made them unclean and outcasts. Nine men who forgot about gratitude. Did the “foreigner” who came back recognize Jesus for who He was? Is that why he came back praising God and giving thanks? Is that why he was filled with gratitude? This poor guy was on the ground at Jesus’ feet while Jesus asked His questions. I imagine Jesus being like “Oh Dude get up, get up. Go now your faith has made you well”. Jesus seems to tie this man’s gratitude to his faith.

Theologian R. Alan Culpepper, writing in the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary as this to say about gratitude and faith. “If gratitude reveals humility of spirit and a sensitivity to the grace of God in one’s life, then is there any better measure of faith than wonder and thankfulness before what one perceives as unmerited expressions of love and kindness from God and from others?

When was the last time you recognized the grace of God working in your life? Did you stop what you were doing and express your gratitude? Let us not forget to express our faith with our gratitude, for the big stuff, like making a way for us to get back to God and for the small stuff – like a rainy day or wildflowers, or a good friend to share a laugh or a cry with.

Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – remember your gratitude reflects your faith.