What do all
of these have in common? They are all simple things we take for granted.
They’ve become so much a part of our lives that we don’t think much about them
– much less give thanks for them. However, if there is ever a problem with one
of them, we notice it immediately. How sad is it that when everything is
working as it is supposed to, we are so wrapped up in ourselves that we don’t
express our thankfulness; however, when they don’t and we’re inconvenienced,
we’re the first ones to get bent out of shape.
In Luke
17:11-19, Jesus preforms a wonderful miracle for some men who were sick with
leprosy. Because of their sickness, they had not been allowed to be with their
families or the people of the city or participate in any of the normal
activities they had once enjoyed. Upon seeing Jesus, they cry out to Him for
help, verse 13 and 14, “and lifted up
their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he
said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were
cleansed.” (Luke 17:13-14 ESV)
We can
imagine their newfound excitement as they are reunited with friends and family
members. As they re-enter their houses for the first time and sit at their
tables to enjoy a meal, we envision their happiness and place ourselves in
their shoes, mentally and emotionally experiencing that same sense of relief
that getting one’s life back would bring. As a smile comes over our face, we
read verses 15-17 and are confronted by selfishness that at times we display.
“Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back,
praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving
him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten
cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:15-17 ESV)
We need to
recognize that Jesus noticed the nine who didn’t come back to give thanks for
getting their lives back. We can’t imagine how anyone, after being given a
second chance like this, would not want to fall to his knees and express his
sincere thankfulness to God. However, when things are going well, it’s easy to
forget the One who makes it all go.
Always be
thankful for the simple things and never be so wrapped up in ourselves that we
forget to thank God for giving us life.
