There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Luke 17:18
Why did the Lord Jesus call the healed leper a stranger? This man had been one of ten lepers, and he was the only Samaritan among them. The others, being Jews, had understood the commandment that Jesus had given them to show themselves to the priests. That was part of the law of the leper, as outlined in the book of Leviticus. As Jews, their religious duty came before anything else, and off they went. They were healed long before they were anywhere near the priests, in fact, they were healed of their leprosy almost immediately on their setting out toward the priests. But there was a stranger among them, a man with lesser knowledge of the law. But he knew that he was healed. And he knew Who had healed him. And he knew that his healing was far too wonderful to be silent about it. Our context reveals that he loudly gave glory to God, and he humbly fell at Jesus feet and thanked Him for what was done. Because of his thankfulness, he received far more blessing than the nine Jews who were healed.
The nine healed Jews were probably thankful, too; they could not help but be thankful. After all, they had received a wonderful deliverance from their dreadful plague. But there was no glory to God from their lips, and there was no return to the Lord Jesus to give him thanks. How sad, when so much was done for them! They remind us of the lack of appreciation from people around us. Most people have little or no knowledge of God, or any care that He even exists. They enjoy the bountiful blessings of health, safety, food, and so much more, and yet never consider the One Who provides it all. We live in a thankless world. When it comes to the greatest blessing of all, the availability of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins, very few recognize that it is available, let alone take advantage of it. To them, the Lord Jesus is but a character of history, or a religious figure, and they carelessly take His Name in vain. Like the healed Jewish lepers, they tend to their religious duties, if they have any, and let it go at that. The Lord Jesus was disappointed in them.
But He was not disappointed with the healed Samaritan. He appreciated the man’s outflowing of glory to God, and his humble and happy thanksgiving. This is what the Lord Jesus is looking for today from those to whom He is extending His blessings and His salvation. Like the healed Samaritan, our very first thoughts should always be of glory to God for what we have received, and thankfulness to the Son. This should occur on the first day of the week when we gather to remember Him. It should also occur at the first of each day, as we appreciate that His mercies are new every morning.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men. Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing (Psalm 107:21,22). -Jim MacIntosh