Have you ever been extremely grateful for someone or something?  How do you respond when you are feeling gratitude?  Jesus tells a story about it in Luke 17.  Let’s take a look at the story together today.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

In the culture of Jesus’ day there wasn’t a much worse fate you could experience than being a leper.  I am certain that all 10 people who were cleansed were extremely grateful.  Their lives were changed for the better in so very many ways.  They could return to their families and friends.  They no longer suffered from this horrible disease.  They would no longer be considered unclean and could participate in worship.  They were not outcast of society any longer.  So why did only one return to Jesus and thank Him?  It is easy to simply blame the 9 lepers but perhaps a better activity is for us to consider how often we thank Jesus for all He has done and continues to do in our lives.  We were also outcasts from Heaven and Jesus made us whole.  He has made us heirs to the Kingdom of God.  He leads, guides, and directs, us in life.  He watches over us.  He gave His life so that we might live.  Today and every day make it a point to be like the leper who returned.  May we all be people of gratitude toward God for all He has done and continues to do in our lives. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave