Eric Hamilton
There is this curious story found in Luke 17:11-19. In it, Jesus heals ten lepers. All ten men receive a miracle that restores their bodies, and with it, their ability to return to their families and their futures. Yet only one, a Samaritan, turns back, falls at Jesus’ feet, and gives loud, heartfelt thanks. Jesus asks, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”
For years I read that story and judged the nine. How ungrateful! How rude! Then one day a voice quietly asked me, “Which are you most like?” I had to admit that nine times out of ten I would have been walking away with the crowd, so caught up in the wonder of the blessing that I forgot to thank the One who gave it.
Psalm 100 calls us to demonstrate our thankfulness out loud and in the life we live: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” (100:1-2). Why? “ For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (100:5). The psalmist reminds us that we are not our own. We belong to a Creator who made us, redeemed us, and daily fills our lives with benefits we rarely stop to consider.
Think honestly for a moment. When was the last time you thanked God for your salvation, not in a rushed table prayer or a generic line in public worship, but with the loud, falling-on-your-face gratitude of that Samaritan leper? God has blessed us “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). He chose us before the foundation of the world. He redeemed us through the blood of His Son. He lavished forgiveness on us. He sealed us with His Spirit. He adopted us into His family. And that is only the beginning of the list. (See Ephesians 1:3-14).
We also enjoy countless temporal blessings, that our ancestors and even most people living on this planet could hardly fathom. Clean water pours forth with a twist of the wrist. Grocery shelves stocked and full. We may have worries, but most of us will not fear a bomb falling on our house tonight. Not every person is allayed of such fears. We possess Bibles in multiple translations on devices that fit in our pockets. Compared to almost every generation that has ever lived, we are rich beyond measure. We all live better and more comfortable lives than kings of old. Yet how often do those blessings produce loud thanksgiving in our hearts and on our lips? Too often we are like the nine, cleansed and walking away without looking back.
Gratitude must not only be projected vertically toward heaven, but also must flow horizontally, toward one another.
The New Testament repeatedly commands us to encourage one another, build each other up, stir one another up to love and good works (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:24). We are a body, a family. Every part matters. Yet it is easy to take faithful people for granted. The elder who has served for decades. The deacon who quietly fixes whatever breaks. The song leader who is there every single Sunday. The teacher who prepares lessons week after week. The sister who makes a meal, sends a card, or simply shows up when others stay home.
We are quick to praise someone the first time they do something new. “Great job leading singing for the first time!” But when someone has served faithfully for years, we often fall silent. Their presence becomes so predictable their presence becomes part of the furniture. We assume they know we appreciate them. Do we let them know? Nothing fuels continued service like knowing it is appreciated and valued.
I am preaching to myself first of all. How often have I only noticed the faithful service of someone only when it has come to an end. I can do better at expressing my gratitude. We could all do better, and be the one instead of the nine.
Imagine if that one healed Samaritan had caught up with the other nine later that day. “Guys, you will not believe what Jesus said when I went back to thank Him. He wondered where you all were.” I picture at least a few of them smacking their foreheads in regret. The opportunity had passed. The moment was gone.
Let us not wait until the moment is gone.
Here is a simple challenge. Before you leave church today, find at least one person, someone whose quiet and constant faithfulness you have perhaps overlooked in the past, and thank them. Thank them for coming to services. Thank them for teaching the children. Thank them for praying. Thank them for simply being here when they could have been anywhere else. And then do not let it be a one-time event. Make gratitude a habit.
Ten were healed. Nine kept walking. One came back and fell at Jesus’ feet in worship. Jesus said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19). The original language can also be translated “your faith has saved you.” All ten received physical healing. Only one received the fuller salvation that comes with a heart overwhelmed with gratitude.
May we be the one. May our homes, our church, our lives ring with thanksgiving to God and to one another. Because this momentary life is brief, the blessings are staggering, and the One who gave them deserves to hear our joyful noise before we walk away.
