Thank You

Scriptural Readings: Luke 17:11-19

To some saying thank you seem to be just a bunch of words. Maybe a lot of us do really mean it but for some it is just a part of speech. Do we gain something when we say thank you? Usually it is a feeling which we cannot explain. Do we really mean thank you when we say it? What do we express when we say thank you?

When we say thanks sincerely, we also tell our gratitude and we also make sure that the person we have given thanks is somebody really important.

v.11  And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

v.12  And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

This scenario is very much true today. We Christians seem to be afar off  from our Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever the reason is or are, this should not be the case. As we pray, our faith plays an important role. A very important role. We should fully know this. This is the result.

v.13  And they lifted up [their] voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

Sometimes we have a certain feeling and a tendency that we should distance ourselves or having a space between ourselves and God or being far from our Lord. A feeling that should not be. Like these lepers being inflicted with a disease have to be separated from the society and being considered as menace they have to maintain a distance and in order for them to be heard, they have to lift their voices. Just like some of us when we pray, we feel a distance, a space between God and us. We have this feeling that we are afar off  from our Lord Jesus. This should not be the case. Our faith in Jesus will tell us otherwise.

v.14 And when he saw [them], he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is a compassionate God. We have to remind ourselves that He is the way the truth and our life. When these lepers, who by the way, are in no way of having being healed from their sickness except be it from a miracle from God were heard, their prayers were answered. Jesus knew that these lepers are dead serious. The only thing they have in their spirit, soul and body is the miracle from God and they knew only that the Lord Jesus Christ can give them. What happened here is an example of a total dependence on our Lord Jesus. 

v.15  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

v. And fell down on [his] face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

v. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where [are] the nine?

This was not completely a wonderful and good story. There was a sad part of this. Jesus knew of course that we are imperfect. However, He could have been happier if those nine missing would came back later. Nevertheless, one of them still have this gratitude.

v.18  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

The Lord Jesus wanted to get a message across with this passage. Was He referring to His disciples? Was He trying to talk to the people who were around Him? He was talking to who? Let us put it this way. Jesus is talking to us. He is telling us how important to have gratitude. It is very important to say even a simple thank you to our God. The result.

v.19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Complete healing from inside out. That leper whose faith and gratitude in our Lord came out a true follower. A true Christian whose faith did not waver and together with his gratitude found the true meaning of a Christian life. He may not be with Jesus during that time but he has shown what Jesus wants us to be. A life fully dependent in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Father in heaven, we are always overwhelmed with your blessings and sometimes we forget to say thank you. Our faith and having a thankful attitude seem to be left behind as we enjoy your blessings. Thank You Father. Thank You for giving Your son Jesus to us that we might get in touch with you anytime. Thank You in Jesus name we pray. Amen!