O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness,
by Your grace hear the prayers of Your Church. Grant that those things which we
ask in faith we may receive through Your bountiful mercy; through Jesus Christ
our LORD. [2]
Ten men, afflicted with a disease that excluded them from
normal society (Leviticus 13:45-59) and inevitably brought about death, sought
help from the Savior. All ten were told to show themselves to the priest as was
required (Leviticus 14:2-20). All ten were healed. All ten were given a full
bill of health. All ten were given a new lease on life. All ten were good to
go.
Yet only one returns to give thanks. The Savior asks the
obvious question – “What happened to the nine?” Our text begs the question who
bothers to thank God?
1. Certainly not those whose only concern is to enjoy what
has been given them.
A.
Ten meet Jesus. Ten called Him “Master”. Ten were healed and undoubtedly
rejoiced. Only one looked beyond the healing to the Healer. Giving thanks has
greater priority for him than being certified as clean.
B.
Like the nine, people can often display a selfishness that is enamored by the
things that benefit us and that cares not at all for the God who supplies our
every need. This is covetousness and idolatry at its core.
How many today find themselves deeply in debt, chasing after
the latest fashion statement, driving cars they cannot afford, trying to
impress people for whom they do not care?
That is the temptation of this world – that the allure of possessions will bring happiness.
It will be witnessed next month- black Friday- the first
official sale day of the Christmas holiday season - when malls will be filled
with shoppers attempting to bring cheer to their lives with things they cannot
afford.
C.
Beware! Such selfish myopia stifles thanksgiving. It sees no cause for
gratitude unless we receive what we things is best, at the time we prefer, in
the way we desire. When this attitude prevails, who bothers to thank God?
Transition: Who bothers to thank God? Certainly not those whose
only concern is to enjoy what has been given them. Nor does it come from those
who become all wrapped up in themselves.
2. Not those who believe that God’s good treatment is
something they have earned for themselves.
A.
The story strongly emphasizes that the only man who returned to give thanks to
Jesus was both a Samaritan and a foreigner - a man with no rights.
He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, a symbolic act of
complete subjection. He realized that his healing was an act of pure mercy, not
a payment that he deserved.
B.
How much his views differed from those of the majority of people, both at
Christ’s time and still today. How easy it is, even for us, to pin our hope for
God’s favor on what we are or think or say or do. We desire and sometimes
demand that God be kind to us and help us as a reward for our good church
attendance or our righteous living or our delightful personalities. How many
today think that God should stand up and take notice! - Because of your awesomeness?
Really?
C. Beware! Such self-righteous pride will not fall at Jesus feet. It will not thank Him. It gives no glory to God for His marvelous works of mercy. It sees God only as a paymaster, who distributes benefits to those who have earned them. When this attitude prevails, who bothers to thanks God?
Transition: Who bothers to thank God? Not those whose only
concern is to enjoy what has been given them. Not those who think God owes
them? It comes from those who have received mercy.
3. Only those whom God has rescued from the dominion of sin
and Satan by giving them faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
A.
The event reported in the Gospel happened while Jesus was on the way to the
city of Jerusalem. He was traveling to that city to lay down His life as the
sacrifice for the sins of the world. The guilt of our selfishness and pride
rested on His shoulders. The hands that in the others cases healed with a touch
were soon to be nailed to the cross as payment for our ingratitude and
love-less-ness.
The voice that told the lepers to show themselves to the
priest would soon cry out in pain and agony, “I thirst!” and “My God,
why have Your forsaken me? Jesus endured the full punishment of body and
soul that we all deserve.
But that same voice would sound forth again after His
resurrection, announcing that forgiveness of sins should be preached in His
name to Jews and Samaritans and all the nations of the earth – to all who would
listen both believer and pagan alike.
B.
Only the power of the resurrected Christ, received by us through faith, can
purge our hearts of the spiritual maladies of selfishness and pride and
ingratitude and sin.
Only in the strength
that he supplies are we able to overcome our natural inclination toward evil
and truly give thanks and glory to God.
Through faith in Christ, the Samaritan
leper received healing in his body. Motivated by that faith, he returned to
give thanks. For such as that leper, it is not at all a bother to thank God.
The expression of heartfelt thanks to God with our lips and our lives is a
joyous privilege that God provides for us here in time and hereafter in
eternity.
Passive Sentences –20%
Readability – 73%
Reading Level -6.6
[1]
Ten Leppers © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2]
Collect for Proper 23, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House,
St. Louis
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