What does it mean to be Thankful? Luke 17:11-19
- Thankfulness is foundational to Christian life. Thankfulness is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings to their source.
- As Christians, we have been forgiven, saved from death, and adopted as God’s children. There could be no better reason for a grateful heart.
- Lepers in Jesus’ day were social outcasts. Their highly contagious condition ostracized them from those they loved. The law of the day required that they shout in a loud voice “unclean” as they traveled. As a warning to healthy people, so they could avoid them and their highly contagious affliction.
- They were also looked upon as being sinful and their leprous condition, punishment for their sins. Which was another reason for people to ostracize and avoid contact with them.
- When ten lepers encountered Jesus in Samaria, they desperately implored Him to show them mercy. Jesus sent them to the priest. As they obeyed and went, they were healed!
- These ten men had been forbidden to worship with others at the temple. Enter their own villages, live in their own homes, work in their own jobs, or even to touch their own children. Imagine what unrestrained joy must have filled them as they ran back home again.
- Jesus had healed ten men, one of them a Samaritan, stopped and ran back to thank Jesus first. Samaritans were normally shunned by the Jews. When he returned, Jesus asked him, “Where are the others?”
- Ten lepers had been healed but only one had returned to give thanks. Ten lepers were reveling in their newfound health. Nine of the Ten men were joyfully rushing to share the good news with those they loved. But only one acknowledged the Source of that blessing and stopped to give thanks and worship Him. The One who had given him back his life.
- We, too, have been healed and made whole by the Savior. And are now free to enjoy the abundant life the Savior has graciously given us.
Do we, like the nine sometimes rush off so quickly or get so busy that we glory in our blessings? Do we sometimes forget to stop and give thanks to our Savior and Redeemer? As Warriors, we also have to be aware of the spirit of discontent that causes us to complain and be ungrateful. In spite of our numerous blessings. Where that spirit comes from and be prepared in advance, to deal with it properly. God wants and looks for us to always be thankful. Our worship, prayers, service, and daily life ought to be saturated with thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Philippians 4:6-7