Luke chapter 17 verses 11 to 19 (NIV)
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
All ten of the lepers must have had some measure of faith because they did as Jesus told them to. They were healed as they went to see the priests, not before. How far had they gone before they were healed? We don’t know, but when the one returned, the other nine lepers must have been out of sight, I think, because Jesus asked where they were. That also suggests that the one leper went out of his way to return and say thank you, not only to Jesus but to give God glory.
Sometimes God will expect us to take Him at His word, even though we might have to act before we see His hand move on our behalf. Are we prepared to go out of our way to give God glory when He does act for us? Surely He deserves that. The one leper who returned must have gladdened Jesus’ heart. Don’t we want to gladden His heart too?
Dear Lord,
Help me always to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. I’m truly thankful for Your goodness. Amen.