Luke 17:11-19: Don't Forget to Say "Thank You!"

Luke 17:17 "Then Jesus answered, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?'"

Have you ever been in a situation where you forgot to say "thank you"? I don't think it happens often, but I think every once in a while we forget to thank someone when he or she does something good to us. But let's take the question a step further: how many times do we forget to thank God? Furthermore, how many times do we simply not want to thank God? A similar story reveals itself in Luke 17. Let us look at it this morning.

The story goes like this: Jesus is walking towards Jerusalem when he meets ten people who all have leprosy. They cry out to Jesus to heal them, and he does. Then, almost instantly it seems, they all go away. However, one man, who was a Samaritan, turns back to thank God for his mercy in healing him. In response, Jesus asks where the other nine went. Jesus then tells the Samaritan man who asked for forgiveness that his faith has saved him, and they all go on their way.

So, what's the application of this somewhat wacky story? Answer: we must not reject thanking God for his mercy. The Lord has given us mercy upon mercy, and so often we neglect to thank him. Although we could blame this on our forgetfulness, I believe that it is often our pride. So often we don't want to thank God for what he has done for us because we believe that we could have healed ourselves. This is called pride. Rather, we ought to thank God for every aspect of his mercy upon us, most importantly for the salvation from hell that he gave us by his grace.

So, when's the last time you thanked God for his mercy? An hour ago? A day ago? A week ago? A year ago? I encourage you this morning: don't be like the nine who went away without thanking Jesus for his mercy. Be like the one, even the Samaritan, who fell at Jesus' feet and thanked him for his healing mercy. Amen.