originally published 12/1/19
Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18)
In Luke 17, Jesus was heading to Jerusalem, and along the way He was met by a group of 10 lepers who stood a long way off and cried out,
“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” It really is a beautiful scene. You can imagine their excitement and hope as they see Jesus, and when He simply tells them, “Go and see the priests,” surely they started to rejoice at the healing they expected to be coming soon.
And it did come soon, as they were going to the priest, in fact. All ten of them were healed, but only one, a Samaritan (a foreigner to the Jews), returned and gave praise to God. I find this picture of thanksgiving to be very meaningful. Giving thanks is like returning to that point where we asked for God’s favor, and we praise Him for doing so.
May we be like that Samaritan. May this week of Thanksgiving be the first of many times we return and give God praise.
