Thursday, November 23, 2023

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

This man’s gratitude made Jesus pause and teach an object lesson. He questions, “Were there not ten cleansed?” He makes this point that 10 lives were changed but only one person came back to say thanks.

For most of us, this is a reminder to be like the one who returned to say thank you, because we understand that we need to expand our gratitude. Au and Au say that maintaining an attitude of gratitude involves a “choice” and “predisposition” to see things from a more positive light. Grateful people are more aware of God’s blessings: His love, care, provision, protection, salvation. You get it.

Choose to be like the one leper who came back to say thank you.

PRAYER: Today, I choose to thank you for everything you have done for me. In the good and bad times, you are still good to me. I lift my hands in thanksgiving and open my mouth to give you praise. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Au, W., & Au, N. C. (2011). The Grateful Heart: Living the Christian Message. Paulist Press.