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Little Gratitude, Much Grace

Luke 17:11-19

“No-man’s-land”...the place where the intersection of conflicted cultures rarely intermingles. It was there that ten desperately needy men found “fellowship.” They found a common ground…in their desperate need.

Then came Jesus. On His way south to the “city of God” He was passing through “no-man’s-land.” Hearing their cries for mercy, Jesus healed them. He didn’t touch them. He didn’t pray over them. He didn’t question the depth of their faith. He simply told them to go for ceremonial affirmation. They were healed and they went. They were totally overwhelmed by their brand new lease on life, ecstatic about new freedom. They didn’t stroll, they ran wildly.

They ran from Him to reclaim their own lives. They ran to restore their rituals of worship. They ran to embrace their loved ones again. They ran to reengage their friendships. They ran to pick up their vocations where they had suddenly come to a halt. They ran…nine of them, that is, but one stopped and came back. His reengagement of life could wait. The restoration to his family could wait. Renewing former friendships could wait. Re-starting his vocational calling could wait. Everything could wait. “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.” One out of ten was a Samaritan.

Entitlement attitudes kill gratitude. “Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Only the twice outcast, the Samaritan who expected no kindness from a Jew, let alone incredible mercy from the Master…only the one who truly knew how deeply graced he had been…only that one took time to give thanks. Thanksgiving flows from those who know how deeply graced they have been.

He was traveling in “no-man’s-land.” Sandwiched between the two was common ground. They found their fellowship in the reality of their desperate need. But only one understood the greatness of His grace. Only He gave thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving, Church!

Pastor Tom