“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” That’s what a group of ten lepers called to Jesus, as he was passing along the border region between Galilee and Samaria (Luke 17:11-13). He did have mercy on them, and instructed them to go show themselves to the priests. That’s because as lepers they were cast out from society: even if they were suddenly miraculously healed, they could not go home until a priest officially ruled that their leprosy was gone. All this had to be done in accordance with the detailed regulations in Leviticus 13. Once they were pronounced clean, they could be restored to their families.

They were made clean “as they went” (17:14) – that is, after they headed off to do what Jesus had told them. One of these ten was actually from the Samaritan side of the border, and when he saw that the disease had suddenly left him, he turned around – perhaps he and the others had walked a few hundred yards on the road to Jerusalem, or perhaps a few miles – and he retraced his steps back to Jesus, praising God and giving thanks as he fell at Jesus’ feet (17:15-16). Jesus remarked on this: “Where are the other nine? How is it that only the foreigner knows how to come back and give praise to God?”

We are often quick to complain when God doesn’t give us what we want: good health, sufficient money, satisfying work, happy relationships. When those aren’t going well, we think God is being unfair. It is as if we think somehow God owes us these blessings, and should do a better job of taking care of these things for us.

In contrast, when the Lord works a miracle on our behalf, when Jesus makes things so much better than they could be, we are often so grudging in our response. It’s like we suppose that it’s no more than what we deserve, and so no special thanksgiving to God is needed.

* * * * *

Jesus, Master, we do indeed pray for your mercy. Teach us to have grateful hearts for all the blessings we receive every day; and teach us to be especially thankful for the unexpected blessings you provide as well.