Luke 17:11-19 - The Grateful Outlier

 In Philippians 4, we read how Paul looked to Christ for strength--strength to be content. But contentment should give way to, and be a building block of something more: the attitude of gratitude.

Luke 17 gives us a vivid picture of gratitude. The event involves leprosy, a dread disease that put people in the strictest quarantine. There were no medicines for it, so quarantine could mean years of being cut off from family and friends. Their only "family" was with other lepers in quarantine.

Should the symptoms abate, they had to go through certain rituals with a priest before they were certified as cured, ready to rejoin society.

The story also involves a Samaritan. Samaritans were despised by Jews for having intermarried with foreigners and their worship was tainted with pagan influences.

Luke the physician is the only one to record the following medical miracle:

Luke 17:11–19 (New Living Translation) — 11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Take note:
* All ten lepers knew how to deferentially ask for help:
"Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."
* All ten lepers had enough faith to be healed.
* All ten lepers stuck to the rules: They stuck to the quarantine and only yelled to Jesus from a distance. Afterward, they dutifully reported to the priests.

* Only one turned it into a worship service, shouting "Praise God."
* Only one showed real deference and fell at Jesus' feet.
* Only one showed gratitude, thanking Jesus for his healing.

* This 'only one' was a Samaritan. The best lessons in true faith can come from the most despised and ignored people that we know.

Father in heaven, you've given us way more than what we deserve. Too often we've accepted your gifts without even a nodding of the head to acknowledge what we've receive. Fill our hearts with contentment, and may our contentment overflow into thanksgiving. In the name of Jesus, our Healer, Amen.