Why did only one return to give thanks to God in Luke 17:18? An Everyday Scene Turned Miracle - “As Jesus was going into a village, ten men with leprosy met Him … He said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they were going, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:12, 14). - The command followed Leviticus 14, which required healed lepers to present themselves to the priest for ceremonial clearance. - Suddenly, life-long outcasts have their skin restored, their futures reopened, their shame lifted. The Surprising Twist in Verse 18 - “Were not all ten cleansed? Where then are the other nine? Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?” (Luke 17:17-18). - Nine hurry to the priests; one Samaritan turns back to Jesus, “praising God in a loud voice” (v. 15). Why Only One Returned? 1. Misplaced Religious Priorities • The nine obeyed the letter of the Law—showing themselves to the priests—yet missed the Lawgiver standing before them (cf. Matthew 12:6). • Their first thought was ritual clearance; the Samaritan’s first thought was worship. 2. Presumption and Familiarity • Jewish lepers may have assumed healing was their covenant right when Messiah came (Isaiah 35:5-6). • The outsider felt no entitlement; grace stunned him into gratitude (cf. Romans 9:30-32). 3. Cultural and Social Barriers • Jews avoided Samaritans (John 4:9). Approaching a Jewish Rabbi could feel unthinkable—unless humility overrode social rules. • The Samaritan had already crossed that line to ask for mercy; crossing it again to thank Jesus felt natural. 4. The Common Sin of Ingratitude • “Although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him” (Romans 1:21). • Even a spectacular miracle cannot soften a heart that refuses to see God’s hand (cf. 2 Timothy 3:2). What the One Thankful Man Shows Us - Gratitude recognizes the Source, not merely the gift (James 1:17). - Worship outweighs ritual; he “fell facedown at Jesus’ feet” (Luke 17:16). - Faith and thanksgiving are intertwined: “Rise and go; your faith has made you well” (v. 19). Broader Biblical Echoes - Psalm 116:12-13—“How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me? I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.” - Colossians 3:15—“Be thankful.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18—“Give thanks in every circumstance; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Takeaway Nine received healing, but only one embraced relationship. Miracles may open doors, yet grateful faith alone brings us back to the feet of Jesus, where true wholeness is found. |
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