InLuke chapter 17, Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem, is teaching His disciples somepowerful lessons they’ll need to learn and practice if they are going to befollowers of Jesus, making a difference in the world and turning it upside downfor the kingdom of God. He teaches about forgiveness—you’re going to beoffended, sometimes by those closest to you, and you have to forgive. Then,you’ll need faith to do that, which means being obedient.
You’realso going to practice faithfulness in such a way that, no matter how hard youwork, how much you serve, or how tired you are, you simply do the task at handbecause God has commanded you to do it—not out of duty, but out of love andcompassion for Him. You depend on His Holy Spirit to fill you to accomplishthat purpose as a servant of the living God. We are called to the privilege ofserving the Lord; it’s not a right, but a privilege, a calling from God forevery believer. From there, we learn thankfulness, and that’s what this lessonis about.
Nowin Luke 17:11-19, “It happened as Jesus went to Jerusalem, passing throughthe midst of Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a certain village, He met tenmen who were lepers, who stood afar off. They lifted up their voices and said,“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them, He said, “Go, showyourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. One of them, whenhe saw that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, glorified God. Hefell down on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks—and he was a Samaritan.Jesus answered and said, “Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Werethere not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”Then Jesus said to the Samaritan, “Arise, go your way; your faith has made youwell.”
Jesusis talking about how, when God does wonderful things for us, we experience Hisgoodness, grace, and mercy. As we are being obedient and faithful, we should bethankful. Gratefulness is an attitude of the heart that reflects our humilityand the grace of God in our lives, recognizing that every good gift, everyperfect gift, and every opportunity we have to serve—every divine appointmentwe’re part of—comes from the Lord Himself. We have that wonderful privilege,and we should return to give Him thanks.
Whatwe had here were ten men who were lepers, a picture of sin. These men werelost, helpless, and hopeless. They hear the Master coming—one of them aSamaritan—in the midst of Galilee and Samaria, as Jesus is on His way toJerusalem. They call out, “Master, Teacher,” the same word Peter used,recognizing that He has command over everything. He can command demons toleave; He can command sickness to leave.
Sothey called out in faith, believing He can do something, and Jesus says, “Go,show yourselves to the priests.” They weren’t healed when He spoke the word,but as they turned to go, they were immediately healed. Can you imagine that?They turned to go, and all of a sudden, that leprosy was gone. The nine of themran to fulfill the law, but the one who was a Samaritan ran to the One who wasthe fulfillment of the law—Jesus Christ. He fell down and worshiped Him. Thenine went to worship in a temple; this man made an altar at the feet of Jesus.He fell at His feet and worshiped Him.
Jesussaid to him, “Arise, go your way; your faith has saved you.” Those nine men gothealed physically; this man got healed spiritually as well when he found thegrace of God through a thankful, humble heart. “For by grace are you savedthrough faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,lest any man should boast.”
Myfriend, be grateful, be thankful, and live a life of gratitude to a holy God,because when we’re not thankful, we become vain in our imaginations, and ourfoolish hearts are darkened (Romans 1).
Beforgiving, be faithful, and be thankful.
