READING: Luke 16–17
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: God has been very good to me, yet I suspect I’m not nearly as grateful as I should be. Even when I am grateful, I know I don't express it enough. Thus, with Thanksgiving coming next month, the story of the ten healed lepers catches my attention today.
The lepers cried out to Jesus for mercy, and He told them to go show themselves to the priests — indicating they would be healed on the way. Indeed, they were, but only one returned to Jesus to thank Him:
John 17:15-18 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell face down at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not 10 cleansed? Where are the nine? Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
Only one came back — and that one, a Samaritan. We don’t know what the others did, but I suspect they quickly tried to get into life. Getting clothing. Returning to family. Finding their friends. Perhaps looking for a job. My guess is that they got busy quickly . . . too busy to return to the One who could ultimately save them. Too busy to take time to be grateful.
When we’re too busy to be grateful, we’re too busy. Or maybe just ungrateful.
ACTION STEPS: Throughout this day, thank God for everything He’s provided you.
PRAYER: “God, forgive me for too often being like the nine healed lepers who received Your blessing but didn’t return to worship You. Make me a genuinely grateful person.”
TOMORROW’S READING: John 11