The Thankful Man
The Thankful Man
Scripture: Luke 17:11-19
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Spiritual Life Officer
USA Southern Territory
We are offering this week's devotion in two formats: video and in a the traditional reading. We hope that either one will provide a means of blessing to you.
Outcasts
They were outcasts living in the borderland between Samaria and Galilee. Since the Jews wanted nothing to do with the Samaritans and the Samaritans wanted nothing to do with the Jews, those not wanted by either found a place they could call their own.
Leprosy, the most dreaded of ancient diseases, marked their skins and changed their lives. Once they were declared to be lepers, the Scripture that both the Jews and the Samaritans shared made it very clear how life would now be lived: “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as they have the disease, they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:45-46). Their appearance was to be a warning. They shouted their defilement. Isolation from everyone and everything was to be their sentence for infection.
Misery Loves Company
Ten lepers decided they would not be alone but found community in their common affliction. They might not be able to hold their wives, mothers, children but here were others whose lives were yanked away in a moment. Death would have been merciful. Instead, they must be fully aware of their daily loss, see their skin mock them, watch in the distance as people went about with their lives. But in that little group of ten, there were people who understood even if they did not speak about it. They knew. So what if one was a Samaritan? The common plight drew them together more than their old differences split them apart.
Somehow word had reached the community that lepers were being healed by the one called Jesus, that He was going back and forth, and maybe, just maybe He might come by here. And so they watched and waited, moved to where they thought He might come or where family members shouted to them the rumors said He might be. Then this day came.
Hope Kindled
Keeping the required distance, they abandoned the required shout of “Unclean!” Instead, they lifted a united plea, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When most people saw lepers, they ran away in horror and disgust. Pity required action, a turning toward. They were begging for grace.
Then Jesus told them that required something from them, both in faith and action. He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” The only reason that the lepers could approach the priest was to begin an involved process that certified that they were healed (Leviticus 14:1-32). They could not be restored to their families, resume their occupations, take their place in the religious life of the community, until the priest cleared them. Any priest could start the process, but it ended with a sacrifice at the Temple.
Faith Employed
The lepers had to act in faith to begin the journey, which they did. The Bible records, “And as they went, they were cleansed.” Did the leprous sores start to retreat from their hands and their faces? Did they look at each other and see the blotches disappearing from legs, arms, necks and backs? However it happened, it took place because of their obedience.
The ten had been bound by their misery but scattered now. They were from different points on the compass. Perhaps they bid their comrades a hurried good-bye, but they were bidden home, not as some ghastly wreckage of humanity but as a whole person with infant skin where scabs had been. They ran until they could run no more, and catching their breath, they then ran some more. Anyone who had never seen them would not look away in horror because there were no marks of leprosy, and he need not shout “Unclean!” to clear the way.
Unfinished Business
All went their way, save one. The Samaritan, the one who was most distant from home, when he saw that he was healed turned back. He knew what he was. As a Samaritan leper in a Jewish land, he had been an outcast of outcasts. He was shouting praise to God, the God that many Jewish people believed hated all Samaritans and wished to destroy.
The first time the Samaritan broke his isolation was to thank Jesus as he fell at His feet. He still had to go to the priest. He still had to follow the dictates of the law to be allowed to return to his life but none of that mattered. Gratitude pushed all else aside.
Turning to the disciples, Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Throughout the ministry of Jesus, He constantly showed that God is at work in all people and for all people. Women and slaves, children and Samaritans, the poor and diseased, the publicans and sinners. Here the ultimate outsider is recognized for his character regardless of his race and nationality.
The Grace of Gratitude
As to the other nine, no doubt they had a story to tell and were happy. But were their lives changed? Many experience wonderful gifts from God, miracles even, yet their lives are lived as before. A great story. They experience God’s power but with no submission to His rule.
Jesus has one final word to the Samaritan. “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” While the others were healed, the Samaritan was made whole. The others might have been happy, but is a blessing ever fully known without gratitude? In fact, gratitude releases God’s blessings deeper into our broken lives.
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Lord, How often we are like the nine. When we need something, we come to You pleading for it and seeking You. We are happy when we receive it and even grateful but then we run off on our way, barely giving You another thought. Help us to take the example of the Samaritan who would not let another moment go by until he fully expressed his gratitude to You. This Thanksgiving, help us do more than pause for a brief moment of shallow thanks. Help us to really express to You the gratitude that You deserve for what You have done for us and in us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory
Thinking It Through
Is there something that right now should stop and thank God for? How can you develop a greater habit of thankfulness to God?
Notable Quotables
As Lilies of the Valley pour forth perfume, so good hearts put forth thanksgiving. No mercy is too small to provoke it, no trial too severe to restrain it. As Samson got honey from the carcass of the lion he slew, and as Moses got water from the flinty rock, so the pure in heart are possessed of a sort of heavenly alchemy, a divine secret by which they get blessings out of all things, and for which there is giving of thanks. - Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle
Now enjoy singing along with this traditional Thanksgiving hymn, "We Gather Together to Ask the Lord's Blessing."
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory