One Returned to Give Him Thanks

Rev. M. Hofman (1873-1945)

Undoubtedly, these miserable persons had chosen this remote village because they were barred from customary society by reason of the pitiful malady with which they were afflicted. Indeed, upon God’s command they must keep themselves without the camp and from afar cry aloud to everyone, “Unclean, unclean.” Perhaps these poor people thought that they would spend their entire life confined to this village because it was something very unusual for a leper to be healed to such an extent that he could again return to live in society.

Since the Son of God, during His sojourn upon earth, was wellknown because of His great and miraculous deeds, it is possible that these lepers had heard of Him previously and now saw an excellent opportunity to bring to His feet their supplication, “Have mercy on us.” Nothing, great or small, happens by chance. No doubt the blessed Jesus Himself had chosen this way through the village in order to help these miserable ones.

And one of them …” Behold, in these words, notice that the one had something which the others lacked, and that was a thankful, humble heart.

His bowels were troubled over these miserable ones although He knew what was in man (John 2:25). He also knew these men although we would say, when taking notice of their humble cries, that they were all saints. He knew how miserably diseased the majority of them were inwardly, for which they asked no help. Nevertheless, He demonstrated to them His friendly compassion and said, “Go show yourselves unto the priests.”

Virtue went out from Him, and the disease left them. They were totally cured before they came to the priests. They all received the same outward benefit. The one did not receive more than the other, but some did lack what the other one had. The continuation of this narrative teaches us that, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back … and fell down on his face at His feet … and he was a Samaritan.”

Behold, in these words, notice that the one had something which the others lacked, and that was a thankful, humble heart. Christ took special notice of this perplexed man who could not show enough humility and admiration for Jesus, such a worthy Person, who had looked upon such an unworthy, unclean person as he was. This man had cast a glimpse inwardly and had learned to know his inward uncleanness and abominableness. Outwardly, he was an unclean Samaritan, inwardly the object of God’s wrath, and in his own estimation a cursed one. However, he was gifted, as appears from verse 19, with saving faith, and through it he had a view of the Godhead, omnipotence, and goodness of Jesus and was saved. By means of that same faith he returned in the deepest humility, falling down at the feet of Jesus, feeling himself empty, without an offering, with empty hands, and not being able to bring anything to this friendly Jesus.

The others were pious for a time and had prayed until they received deliverance; then they went on their way. There was no affection or desire for this Person who had granted them such exceptional benefits. With the benefits they ended in themselves.

Perhaps in your thoughts you have already perceived where we wish to bring you. Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day, the day when the Lord especially calls to us, “If then I be a Father, where is Mine honour? and if I be a Master, where is My fear?” Do you not agree with us when we say that the majority of us are like those nine lepers, pious in order to receive outward assistance and benefits, who cry upon their beds to receive corn and wine, who pray for prosperity in their occupations, trade, and business dealings and who say, “Who will shew us any good?” (Psalm 4:6). Yet, they have never returned to the Benefactor to give Him the honor which is due unto Him. They have never learned to know themselves as sons of men who are unworthy of the least of His blessings. They have never learned to be amazed that the Lord has bestowed all those rich blessings upon them.

We are moved to sadness because the number of true, perplexed Samaritans is so small, and we would cry out, “How shall we keep Thanksgiving Day?” Those few penitent souls, who at times are humbled under the blessings, would most heartily wish, with the astonished man who was cleansed from his leprosy, to come to the feet of the Lord Jesus to thank Him.

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