Years ago there was a radio program called “Job Center of the Air”. The program was responsible for finding employment for over 2500 people. Yet, the host of the program said, he received only 10 notes of thanks from listeners in all that time. November is Thanksgiving month. All of us have much to be thankful for. As we are shown in this narrative of the ten lepers we should never take God’s blessings for granted.

Lepers were outcasts of society. They were shunned, treated with contempt, stoned, starved and despised. These lepers saw Jesus on the road and immediately began crying out to Him. Their desperation and torment can be felt as they shouted, “have mercy on us.” How we need God’s mercy today. Are you going through some especially difficult situation? Call out to God. Let Him know you are looking to Him for healing, strength, direction and help. He is a very present help in time of need and able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or think. No matter the situation you find yourself in, God is able. Perhaps you’ve given up all hope. Be encouraged, Jesus is there. Note they called Jesus, Master. Let Him be in control of whatever you’re facing today.

Jesus was quick to respond to their cry. He told the lepers to go show themselves to the priests. In order for lepers to be pronounced clean, they had to appear before a priest, be examined by him and then go through a ritual to make certain they were no longer afflicted. If the priest pronounced them clean they could again enter into society. Now it is important to point out the lepers were obedient to Christ, they were on their way to the priests. As they traveled they began to notice a change, their limbs and flesh were cleansed. Can you imagine the joy they experienced? Leprosy is often seen in Bible typology as a picture of sin. When it comes to sin we are cleansed by obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Only Jesus offers cleansing. His sacrifice on the cross paid the price for sin in full. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor 5:21). Cleansing is ours by receiving Him.

Only one? There is much to learn from this former leper. God deserves our praise and thankfulness for all His blessings to us. He has provided us with all things. Not only does He give salvation from sin, but He continually showers us with His mercy and grace everyday. Believers need to show their appreciation by glorifying Him and falling at His feet in praise and worship. We who were alienated and strangers from God are now made members of God’s family through receiving Christ. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12). If you know Jesus as your Savior take time to thank Him today. The wholeness this leper received was much more that just physical. His was a wholeness of body, soul and spirit only God can provide.

How it must grieve God to see so many ignoring Him in spite of all His blessings to us. There are many who never give consideration to what He does. Thinking they are enjoying life to the fullest they ignore the one who really gives life meaning. “Where are the nine?” May it never be said of us that we were an ungrateful people. God forbid that we should take His blessings for granted. How might we glorify God today? We can share the good news of salvation with someone. We can praise Him for who He is and what He does. We can glorify Him by living a life that is patterned after the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Today, thank God for all His blessings and ask Him how you might be a blessing to someone else to bring honor and glory to His name.

One thing a doctor does when we go for a check up is to check our blood pressure and pulse. He doesn’t check our lips he checks our heart. The test tells him how the heart is working. Does the praise on your lips reflect what is in your heart? God looks on the heart. What does He see in your heart today? God bless.