An Ungrateful Heart

 

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?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-17 ESV)

 

William Arthur Ward (December 17, 1921 – March 30, 1994) was an American motivational writer. He has written more than 100 various articles, poems, and meditations which have been published in many magazines both Christian and secular. Our meme today contains one of those quotes: “A complaining tongue reveals and ungrateful heart.” Our reading today gives us a startling example of such ingratitude. Jesus was met by ten men on the road into Jerusalem. They were all afflicted with the dreaded disease of leprosy. Jesus healed them all. Yet only one returned to him in gratitude.

 

During his teaching ministry Jesus was often unappreciated. In today’s verses we read of Jesus healing ten men who had the disease of leprosy, for which sufferers became outcasts. Leprosy made people “unclean,” and doctors had no cure for it. Jesus sent the men to the priests so they could be declared “clean” and become part of their community again. But only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus. In a gesture of humility, “he threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.” The other nine simply got what they wanted from Jesus and moved on.

 

We all know what it means to be unappreciated. A loving mother is hurt when a delicious meal she has prepared for her family is taken for granted. A worker is disappointed when his initiative and extra effort go unnoticed by his supervisor. A friend feels used when her help isn’t acknowledged. It’s ironic that the only grateful person was a Samaritan. The Jews viewed Samaritans as greatly inferior, both physically and spiritually. But this foreigner genuinely praised God while the others went their own way. When we call out to Jesus for his grace and mercy, he saves us. I wonder if we are more like the nine than the one? This is a great season to “throw ourselves before him, thanking and praising him.”