Return to Give Thanks

Luke 17:11-19 (CSB) 
Ten Men Healed
11 While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed.

15 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. 16 He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan.

17 Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”

I’d like to leave each of us with…
*Three Observations about Giving Thanks…from Luke 17:11-19:

• 17:11-12a
  • 11 While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. 
  • The FIRST Observation is that Jesus met these lepers where they were. 
    • Apantaw…met (BDAG, pp. 96-97) “meet…someone.”
    • You can call it…Divine providence or Divine intervention…He didn’t just stumble into this town or across this group of lepers…this event aligned with His will. He intervened to show His love and care, and to continue to make His name famous. Vv. 15, 18…to give God glory. That was the purpose of all ailments and healing. 
    • Much like seeking forgiveness…Both are on the way to meet with each other. 
• 17:12b-13
  • They stood at a distance 13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
  • The SECOND Observation is that the lepers acknowledge Him for who He is and what He’s capable of.
    • In a community where they were shunned, kept at distance, despised by man, and taught to believe that they were this way because they were cursed by God…that they were being punished by God. They didn’t express anger or displeasure towards Him…in fact, they requested His mercy…the withholding of a punishment which they did deserve.
    • Notice, they didn’t shout the typical leper statement of “Unclean, Unclean.” But rather, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
    • They weren’t warning Him to stay back, they were welcoming and inviting Him in. 
    • He saw / acknowledged them too…vs. 14 When He saw them. 
• 17:14-19
  • 14 When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed. 15 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. 16 He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”
• The THIRD/& LAST Observation is that few people return to express thanks to Him for answered prayer. 
• How many were healed out of the ten? All of them. 
• How many returned to thank God for healing? One. 
  • Side Note: It was the Priests who diagnosed these individuals with their disease…I wonder what they thought when these men returned to them being healed of this incurable disease. 
• How did God bless the one who returned?  Because of his faith, he was saved…not just cleaned on the outside but on the inside as well. Nine out of the ten men only wanted the miracle…one wanted complete restoration, physically and spiritually. His prayer was answered to the fullest.   

• Conclusion: I don’t know what you need to come and meet with Jesus about, but let me encourage you to fully acknowledge Him in your prayers (Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name), and acknowledge when He does answer your prayers. If He answers them, then come back and thank Him. Don’t just be in it for the miracles…be in it because you believe. Never forget to return and show your gratitude towards Him. How sad it must be for the Lord to have only 10% return and express their gratitude for what He’s done in their life. Lastly, it can be easy to remember to thank Him when big requests are answered, but remember to thank Him for the small requests getting answered too (times you run an errand in town; times your child takes the car to go to practice and you prayed for his/her safety; etc.). 
  • AND, if you know God has answered prayer in someone else’s life…then encourage them to return and thank Him as well. ​