Several Sundays ago, I was asked to speak on the subject of thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit, led me to Luke 17 verses 11 to 19. This is quite a familiar story among Christians. The text tells the short story of ten lepers who begged Jesus for mercy. They were then instructed by Jesus to show themselves to the priests. While they were going there, they discovered that they were healed. Sadly, only one of them returned to thanks Jesus, and he was a Samaritan.

Believing that the proper way to preach is to give an expository sermon, I looked at the words in the original Greek. I was delighted to learn that the Greek word for "Thanks" is eucharisteo." This is where we get our word for "Eucharist." Christ often used this word whenever he gave thanks for a meal. Likewise, the Apostle Paul often uses this word in his opening statements when writing to the New Testament churches.

Eucharisteo can basically be broken down into two words. "Eu" to mean good or well and "charis" which means to favor, thank or to respond to a good favor. This word is also used as the verb form of "favor" or "Charis" in Greek. Often, the word "Charis" is translated as "Grace" in English.

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."

Thanks be to God for giving us "Supernatural faith," for the faith to believe. Truly it is not because of our own natural ability that we have the faith to believe in Christ, it is only because of Him alone.

Because he realized that he was given this unmerited favor, the Samaritan Leper was so thankful 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."

I love the closing statement of the story. Jesus says to him, "Arise; go thy way. Thy faith hath made thee whole." What He is saying to the Samaritan Leper is that "Your faith has saved you."

Truly, the Samaritan Leper got more than what he asked for. He asked for mercy but he got grace instead and with that salvation. Being truly thankful is certainly is worth it !

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