“On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19

{“My father is a skilled CPA who is not great at self-promotion. So when an advertising salesman offered to put my father’s business placard in the shopping carts of a supermarket, my dad jumped at the chance. Fully a year went by before we got a call that could be traced to those placards. “Richard Larson, CPA?” the caller asked.

“That’s right,” my father answered. “May I help you?” “Yes,” the voice said. “One of your shopping carts is in my yard and I want you to come and get it.”}

Self promotion – the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Politicians are usually experts at getting people to notice them. People who are desperate sometimes are really good at reaching out to friends, neighbors, churches and family for help. But I have known too many good, honest, faithful people who have had desperate times in their lives, but were too proud to reach out or ask for help. The Ten Lepers in our lesson today were great at self-promotion. When they saw Jesus coming toward them, they immediately shouted “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” I am sure there were those around Jesus, or from the community, who were scolding them for shouting at Jesus. There are other examples from the bible where people shouted at Jesus or tried to approach him and others were telling them to stop, or go away. (see Mark 10:46-52) But the Ten Lepers are rewarded for speaking out – crying out – shouting out to Jesus. But notice, only one comes back to thank him.

Sometimes our self-promotion will come across as arrogant, or pretentious, but I am a firm believer that Jesus will not see us that way. I believe that Jesus wants us to turn to him often when we are in need, in pain, suffering in any way. After all, the squeaky wheel does get the grease – and the disciple who turns to G-d will see greater things. But be sure to say thanks, often, and always – thanks be to G-d!

Pastor Dave