¹⁷ So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? ¹⁸ Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? Luke 17:17-18 KJV

This is the story of the ten lepers. These ten men had the dreaded, disfiguring disease that made a person unclean, unfit for society, and virtually subhuman. The tremendous physical toll inflicted by this incurable disease was only surpassed by the great emotional toll of feeling worthless, vile, and unlovable.

When these men saw Jesus, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13). Jesus responded with compassion and a challenge, telling them to show themselves to the priests. “As they were going they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). Do you see that? “AS THEY WERE GOING, they were cleansed.” That’s always the way it works with faith. You have to believe God’s Word enough o obey it. When you take a step of faith, then you see God do miracles.

Can you imagine the overwhelming exhilaration these men must have felt? Their leprosy was cleansed! The vile disease that had taken virtually everything from them was now gone! They could return to their families! They could return to society! They could really live again!

Nine of them scurried away to enjoy their great blessing. But one turned back…and he was a hated Samaritan. This man was also overcome with exhilaration at his cleansing, and he wanted to give thanks and praise to the One who made it possible. He could not dream of taking another step without glorifying God and expressing his sincere gratitude. And the Lord responded to his thanksgiving by bestowing on him a far greater gift of salvation. Interestingly, Jesus was wondering aloud about the other men. Where were they? Why was this “foreigner” alone in his thanks?

The question for our day is clear: why do so many experience the goodness of God and so few return with grateful thanksgiving?

THIS THANKSGIVING, let me challenge you, as I challenge myself, to emulate the Samaritan in this story and give thanks. To be sure, thanksgiving can be a sacrifice. Life can be cruel and hard. Circumstances can knock us down and leave us devastated. If we are not careful, we can easily be disillusioned, depressed, critical, cynical and bitter. However, as the old saying goes, “Let’s pick ourselves up by the bootstraps.” Let us “Praise the Lord,” and “Lift our Hands and our Hearts.”

Lord, we give you Thanks.”