How Thankful Are You?

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 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 17:11-18 ESV). I have always been amazed at the story found in our reading today. And, yet, as I think of the many blessings God has given me, I wonder if I am not just as those nine ungrateful lepers were. As I have said recently, we live in a world of “what have you done for me lately.” This has caused us to offer many excuses for our failure to be thankful. Charles Brown offers the following explanations for the attitude of ungratefulness expressed in the nine lepers who did not return to Jesus. I hope you do not find yourself among them! • One waited to see if the cure was real. • One waited to see if it would last. • One said he would see Jesus later. • One decided that he had never had leprosy. • One said he would have gotten well anyway. • One gave the glory to the priests. • One said, “O, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.” • One said, “Any rabbi could have done it.” • One said, “I was already much improved.” In his book Folk Psalms Of Faith, Ray Stedman tells of an experience H. A. Ironside had in a crowded restaurant. Just as Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked if he could join him. Ironside invited his to have a seat. Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, “Do you have a headache?” Ironside replied, “No, I don’t.” The other man asked, Well, is there something wrong with your food?” Ironside replied, “No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat.” The man said, “Oh, you’re one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don’t have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start right in!” Ironside said, “Yes, you’re just like my dog. That’s what he does too!” Give thanks today!