Luke 17:11 – 19 Ten Lepers

Luke 17:11 – 19 Ten Lepers

As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met (him). They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

This scripture passage is entitled “Ten Lepers” in my bible, but in my mind I call it gratitude. Jesus is met by ten lepers who beseech him for a cure. Jesus takes pity on them and tells them to go show themselves to the priests. Along the way they discover they have been cured. Nine of the ten take off back to their families, their loved ones , so great is their joy. Only one former leper, and him a Samaritan, returns to Jesus to give thanks. Who is gratitude more important to: the one who received the favor/gift? Or the one who gave it? Surely Jesus needs nothing from the Samaritan or from us. And yet, cultivating an attitude of gratitude to others and God helps us become aware of how much we need God and others. Jesus seems to be urging us not to take him or God for granted. Both faith and gratitude (an attitude that you have been gifted, or blessed) are attitudes to be cultivated.