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In Luke 17:117-19, we read the story of Jesus and the cleansing of the ten lepers. In the story, the ten lepers ask Jesus for mercy. Jesus heals and instructs the ten to go show themselves to the high priest. While on their journey the men are healed of the dreaded disease. One of the ten, after seeing he had been healed, turned back and praised God. This man was a Samaritan; none-the-less he fell to the ground and gave thanks. Jesus then asks, “Were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine?”

The story, while it is a vision of the greatness and mercy of God, has a ring of sadness and disappointment associated with it. It is possible that Jesus is more than disappointed, that He is also hurt. One of the men was referred to as a stranger which implies that nine were Jews. Of the ten only the stranger felt strong enough appreciation to return to give thanks to the One who healed him of his dreaded disease.

Imagine if you would, being afflicted with such an infirmity. There was none other that was more dreaded in the time of Jesus, and it was one that advanced slowly bringing years of indescribable misery. In its advance the hair would turn white and eventually fall out. The body would be covered with a mass of scabs and sores. Later in the progression of the disease, joints separated allowing fingers and toes, noses and even the lower parts of the mouth to fall off. In the progression of the disease, the body becomes a repulsive and dreadful sight. It was so contagious that the infected were put out of their homes, cities and communities. They were, by law, compelled to cry unclean when any unsuspecting individual would venture too close. 

The ten stood afar off and sought for divine intervention. Their faith in Jesus is evident in that they immediately began their journey to the High Priest. In that moment they were healed. In that moment there were immediate blessings that we often overlook. Let’s consider some of the blessings that were evident for these men.  

The men were immediately relieved of all of the misery, shame, and desolation associated with the disease. They were no longer separated from mankind. Because of Jesus these men were now able to go back home; they were able to be reunited with family, friends and neighbors. Their lives would eventually return to normalcy in that they would return to the normal pursuits of life and work. The days of walking the back streets crying: “Unclean, Unclean” were over. 

As we consider the story, the percentages were not great; one of ten showed thankfulness and gratitude. But that one, the 10 percenter, is an example like no other. He was a man whose heart was overflowing. He was a man whose praise and glory to the great God of heaven for his love and mercy was known to all who were in the hearing of his voice. He was a man who for his gratitude fell to the ground and gave thanks to Jesus. To make the story more impressive, we are reminded that the man was a hated enemy of the Jews, he was a Samaritan! So, we see that the one that was looked down upon by Jews, was the one that returned to give thanks to Jesus. The same seems to be true today, that the ones we least expect sometimes do the most while the ones we expect the most from often disappoint us. After reading this account in the Bible I am reminded that we too need to reflect on the blessing that we receive from God. 

As we reflect, we notice that mankind is often ungrateful for the blessing which flows from heaven’s open door of blessings. Men are often like the hog eating acorns beneath the mighty oak tree. They keep their noses pointed down and accept the blessing while they never look up to see where the blessings are coming from. This is a measure of inconsideration. It is a measure of thoughtlessness that breeds the child of thanklessness! Perhaps the nine didn’t think about how greatly they had been blessed? Isaiah reminds us that we should have an attitude of thanksgiving. Isa. 1:2-3: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, My people do not ‘consider.’” 

We need to be thankful for all we have in life; both spiritual and physical. We should never become so comfortable with the blessings of God that we take them for granted. This is what the Jewish people in the days of Jesus were guilty of. The Jews in the first century came to expect miracles and blessings from God. And often it was the non-Jew that showed proper attitudes of thanksgiving for what God did for them. Today we should always show thankfulness for the blessings from God. We should never lose sight of the good that has been done for our benefit. Our in-gratitude results from our failure to remember what God does. Including the gift of his Son on the cross and the forgiveness of sins. To fail to remember causes us to lose sight of all that God has given. We need to express our gratitude and we can do so by right living; right use of blessings; and sharing with others what has been shared with us. It is my prayer that we all may fully realize how greatly blessed we are.

(Tony Hoss is minister of the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton)