Luke 17:11-19 "And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 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. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."
The other day, as I read this passage during my devotions, I was again reminded of the importance of giving thanks. The leprous man is a great picture of our sinful state. We have the incurable disease of sin and it is only the Savior who can miraculously make us clean again. How many times do I walk away from some great (or even small) thing that the Lord has done for me and forget to give him thanks(vs16)? What a lesson we can learn from this man in Scripture! Jesus healed 10 men, but only 1 returned to thank him? 10 men who were condemned, living outside of the world, never to kiss their wives, hold their children, hunt with the men... They were living the lives of dead men.
Then everything changed.
Jesus came into their lives.
What a day!
Still only ONE returned to give thanks.
Don't forget to give God thanks!
