Lessons from Lepers, Part 2

Today we are continuing our study of Luke 17:11-19, the story of Jesus and ten lepers who were healed.

A second lesson I think we can learn from the lepers is that our thanksgiving ought to be louder and more demonstrative. We read in Luke that one of the lepers, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice, and he threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him.

I used to live in a town where the Friday night high school football game was the highlight of the week for many. I've seldom seen people get so excited. When the home team would score a touchdown, almost everyone in the stands would praise their team in a loud voice. I never saw anyone throwing themselves at the feet of the star quarterback, but I often saw people in the stands jumping up and down with thanksgiving.

However, what happens when we go to church? Many people in church are staid and reserved when it comes to giving thanks to God. Church people often give thanks in muted tones, in hushed whispers.

Now I know that the way we worship is affected by culture, and many other factors. Not everyone is a Pentecostal. And that's o.k. Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes. But maybe some of us who are not accustomed to doing so, ought to praise God in a loud voice, at least every once in a while. Why not try it and see what happens? It might be good for your mental and emotional health.

After all, the things that God has done for us are far more glorious than a winning football season. God has given his only Son as a sacrifice for our sins. God has healed many of us physically, as Jesus healed the ten lepers. However, more importantly, God has healed and is healing us spiritually. That ought to bring forth our loudest and most demonstrative praise, don't you think?

Tomorrow we will look at a third lesson we can learn from the lepers....

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