THANKFULNESS

No man is an island and we are constantly in need of help. We turn to people for help and ultimately to God. Sometimes, we offer appreciation and thanksgiving but at times we do not. We take things for granted and we may even become ungrateful as a result. The account of the cleansing of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) teaches us of the necessity to be thankful and not ungrateful.

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and passed through Samaria and Galilee. He was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance. According to the old law at that time, leprosy was contagious and there was a need for separation (Leviticus 13:46). The lepers called out to Jesus and pleaded for mercy. They addressed Him by name and Master. They were in great need of help and relief.

There are situations and times whereby we are perplexed and we turn to God for help. The perplexity causes us to fall on our knees to plead with God. The psalmist knew that help comes from God. He penned: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Jesus, being the perfect example, knelt down and prayed to God fervently before His crucifixion (Luke 22:41). As a result of Him being the sacrificial lamb for the sins of mankind, we may approach God’s throne of mercy for help (Hebrews 4:16).

The lepers knew about Jesus and called out to Him, giving Him the recognition. When petitioning to God, do we ask with the assumption that God will always give what we want? Do we go to Him with a haughty spirit? There is a need to humble ourselves before God, especially when we petition Him. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7) Even though Christians were living in difficult circumstances when the apostle Peter penned this letter, yet he still encouraged them to remain humble. This speaks volumes of how we need to live our lives today in humility and submission to God.

It gives great comfort to learn that the lepers received cleansing. They were given instructions on what to do and they obeyed. They went to show themselves to the priests. As a result, they were healed (Luke 17:14). Obedience to God is still required in all situations. We cannot have our cake and eat it too. For example, we cannot expect to have the hope of eternal life if we do not follow God’s instructions to be baptized and be added to the Lord’s Church (Mark 16:16). We also cannot expect to be forgiven of our sins if we do not go to God in prayer to repent and seek forgiveness (1 John 1:9). The Bible tells us that faith and obedience go hand in hand (James 2:26). Thus, receiving cleansing and salvation can only come with obedience to God.

The lepers called out to Jesus to be cleansed. Jesus saves when we go to Him. Jesus said “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Even as God knows what we need, it is still necessary for us to go to Him. In so doing, we acknowledge His providential care and being the provider. The apostle Paul also wrote that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

There is great joy when a person receives the things for which he or she has petitioned God. One of the lepers returned to thank the Lord and glorified God (Luke 17:15-16). He was grateful for the healing. Are we grateful for the sinless sacrifice on the cross that we may have the hope of eternal life? Are we grateful for the many blessings in our lives? Gratitude is very important. Giving thanks to God should always feature in our prayers (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Philippians 4:6). The psalmist also voiced out this thanksgiving to God: “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:1)

We need to remember that being unthankful is a sin (2 Timothy 3:2). We are grateful to people for the help we receive from them. All the more, we need to be grateful to God. Thanksgiving must be addressed to God. The leper who returned was a Samaritan. The other nine lepers did not return after being cleansed. May we not be selfish and just think of having our own needs satisfied and forget to be grateful. We must give God the glory for all blessings we have received and enjoyed. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever.” (Romans 11:36)