Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19)
The text of Luke 17:11-19 invites us to a profound reflection: Are you grateful to God for everything He does in your life?
Gratitude is the recognition of a benefit, help, or favor received from someone. In essence, it is an act of thanksgiving. But why should we be grateful to God? The answer is simple: we should be thankful for the gift of life, for waking up each morning, for having health, for breathing, seeing, walking, and speaking.
The Importance of Gratitude
The Bible instructs us to be thankful in all circumstances, as this is God’s will for us.
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
We should thank God every day, acknowledging His blessings, from the simplest to the most extraordinary. Gratitude reflects a humble heart that recognizes God’s goodness.
The Ten Lepers: A Lesson in Gratitude
The story of the ten lepers is a powerful example. These men, excluded from society due to their disease, saw Jesus passing by and cried out for healing. They could not approach Him because of their condition, but they recognized that Jesus had the power to transform them.
Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:11-13)
Jesus, seeing them, instructed them to show themselves to the priests, as the law required to confirm their healing. As they went, they were cleansed.
So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:14)
However, of the ten men who received the miracle, only one returned to give thanks. This man, a Samaritan, fell at Jesus’ feet, praising God with humility.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17:15-16)
Jesus then asked:
Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? (Luke 17:17)
Only the Samaritan, a foreigner, returned to glorify God. This attitude teaches us that true gratitude stems from a humble heart that acknowledges the source of blessings.
The Danger of Ingratitude
Many times, we act like the nine lepers. We cry out, weep, and plead with God for help, but when we receive the blessing, we forget to return and give thanks. It is sad when we allow blessings to take God’s place in our lives.
Ingratitude reflects a lack of humility. Only those who recognize what God has done can express true gratitude. How often are we blessed and fail to give back? How often has someone helped, encouraged, or trusted us, and we fail to help, encourage, or show gratitude in return?
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? (Psalm 116:12)
The psalmist, in his profound wisdom, invites us to reflect on how we can repay God for His blessings. He expresses a desire to offer something in response to what he received. Today, our worship and gratitude are the offerings we present to God for all He does for us.
Reflection: How Often Have You Given Thanks?
For our reflection, consider this week. In the past seven days, how many times have you thanked God? How many times have you said, “Thank You, Lord, for the air I breathe, for the bread that nourishes me, for the water that quenches my thirst, for the family I have, for the sunrise and the sunset”? How many times have you thanked Him for your health, your home, your ministry, or for dreams that became victories?
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? (Psalm 116:12)
This passage challenges us to recognize that, often, we behave like the nine lepers, expecting God to bless us without returning to give thanks. The Samaritan, however, teaches us that while the blessing is wonderful, it is even more precious to return and reconnect with the Blesser.
The Lesson of the Samaritan
We can conjecture that the nine lepers, after being healed, went to find their families and organize their lives, focusing only on themselves. The Samaritan, on the other hand, prioritized returning to thank the One who performed the miracle. He shows us that true gratitude goes beyond receiving; it seeks to honor the One who blesses us.
God is ready to bless those who seek Him with all their heart, but He especially loves those who know how to receive and give thanks. At this moment, while many face difficulties, illnesses, or even death, God has allowed you to be alive and healthy. Be grateful for your family, your job, the breath of life, and your ability to see, hear, speak, and walk.
Conclusion: Live with Gratitude
Be thankful for the small things, for God loves those who give thanks in all circumstances. May this study lead us to approach God’s presence with humility, recognizing His power, sovereignty, mercy, and glory. We should strive to always thank God, for gratitude transforms our hearts and connects us to the Blesser.
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