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by: ZigfredDiaz
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Word Count: 643

I was preparing for a Sunday sermon on thanksgiving as I was asked to speak on the subject. God brought to my attention the Samaritan leper's thanksgiving found in Luke 17 verses 11 to 19. The story is quite a familiar one among Christians. It tells of 10 Samaritan lepers who were asking Jesus for mercy. Jesus asked them to show themselves to the priest. As they went along, they found out that they were healed. The story however ends with a sad twist, only one of them came back to thank Jesus.

As a firm believer in the full exposition of Scripture, I dug deeper into the words used in the text. Among the words that interest me was the Greek word for "Thanks." The Greek word used is the word "eucharisteo" where we get our word for "Eucharist." This word is the same word used by Christ, whenever the Gospel tells us that Christ gave thanks for a meal. This is almost always the same word used by the Apostle Paul when writes his opening statements in his epistles.

The word eucharisteo literally means eu = good, well + a form of charis = to favor or thank; to respond to a good favor. The word "Eucharisteo" is also used as the verb form of the word "Charis" which is often translated as "Grace."

Looking back at the story and the greek words used, you can clearly see the message that the message that our Lord is trying to convey here. The Lepers were asking for "Mercy" but only one leper got "Grace."

Sometimes we interchange "Mercy" for "Grace" or we think that they mean the same thing. But they are different. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. On the other hand, Grace is getting what you don't deserve. As sinners we deserve to go to Hell. But by God's mercy we are spared from that punishment. But receiving eternal life is only through grace. We do not deserve that our sins but forgiven, forgotten and that we receive eternal life , but we received it because of GRACE.

The Bible says in Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 and 9 says that we are saved "by Grace through faith . . . it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast" The gift referred to here is "Saving faith." What this verse is simply saying is that the faith to believe was given to us by God. By ourselves alone we do not have the ability to believe God by faith because of our fallen state. What we only have is natural faith. In order to know Christ we must have "supernatural faith."

What a joy to know that God gave us "Supernatural faith" in order to truly believe. We should respond to Him in thanksgiving. Certainly, it is not because we have the natural ability to believe in Christ that we received the gift of salvation. We received the gift of salvation because of Him alone and Him alone.

Now let me continue with the story of the Ten Lepers. The Samaritan Leper was so thankful to Jesus Christ that he "turned back and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks"

He was then asked by Jesus Christ, ""Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are none found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger."

This is the part that I love the most, Jesus furhters tells him to "Arise; go thy way. Thy faith hath made thee whole." In effect, He was saying to the Samaritan Leper "Your faith has saved you."

The Samaritan Leper got more than healing from his leprosy, he received the gift of Salvation in Christ. What a joy it is to be truly thankful !

About the Author

Wish to know more about being thankful ? Visit the blog of Zigfred Diaz where he regularly blogs about other interesting topics mainly on money management, investments, How to invest in the Philippine stock market, practical christian living, law, life and living.

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