Thankfulness

Thankfulness

Q: Of the 10 men Jesus healed of leprosy, how many returned to thank him?

• a. none
• b. 1
• c. all 10

People who had leprosy in Jesus’ time had to live away from others. If they went near anyone, they were required to call out to alert people that they were lepers. If the leprosy went away, the person had to go to the priest and be declared healed so he or she could be around other people again.

As Jesus was entering a village, 10 men with leprosy called to him. Jesus told them to show themselves to the priest. This was before he’d even healed them! The lepers had to have faith that they’d be healed before they reached the priest. And they were healed by their faith as they went.

One of the men turned back and thanked Jesus. He was a Samaritan, so he was despised by the Jews for being a person of mixed race. But he was the only one who returned to show his gratitude.

It may be easy to judge the other nine lepers, but first take a look at thankfulness in your own life. When did you last thank your mom or dad for washing your clothes? For cooking a meal? When did you last thank your Sunday school teacher for taking time to prepare the lesson or your pastor for preparing the sermon? When did you last thank the school janitor for cleaning the halls and restrooms (or whoever cleans the house if you’re homeschooled)? The bus driver for taking you to school or your older sibling or parent who drives you to soccer practice?

For You

You might remember to say thank you for the big things like new basketball shoes or birthday gifts, but be sure to thank others for the everyday things they do. Take time to thank at least four people today for something they do consistently.

Answer: b

One of [the ten lepers], when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”   Luke 17:15

(The Whole Story: Luke 17:11-19)