In my travels, I have found that when I am thankful for something or someone, I try to acknowledge those who helped make it happen. It's who I am. Growing up was complicated for me, but if it weren’t for Godly men and women in my travels, I probably would not be standing here today. I think of it often. I remember most of their names. And then, I still reflect on what God has done for me, even today. However, this raises a genuine question. Just how grateful are we as God’s children? And then, when it comes to being grateful, is it enough just to be thankful, or maybe, just maybe, to be something more?
A young artist gained worldwide acclaim for her paintings, each depicting moments of kindness she had experienced. When asked why she always chose such themes, the artist explained that she used to live in deep poverty until a family took her in and showed her love and generosity. Now, every brushstroke was her expression of thanks, a lifelong dedication to honoring this family through her art. Likewise, when we recognize God’s generosity toward us, our actions become daily brushstrokes of grateful obedience, not just being grateful.
In scripture, we are reminded that God loves a cheerful giver. In being cheerful, Courage, Humility, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Respect, Faith, Understanding, Love. Cheerful means all these things. Its to be grateful. We all express gratitude in different ways, for sure. For the most part, there are three primary ways in which mankind shows gratitude. First would be a verbal gratitude, which would include a note or card. Then there is a more concrete gratitude, which they reciprocate with an offering, gift, or pledge to those they are grateful to. And then there is Connective gratitude, which involves fostering a more profound connection of friendship and love by expressing gratitude through physical or spiritual presence and being a dedicated friend or companion. When Berkeley University conducted a study in 2011, it found that the grateful and apologetic approaches to life were more culturally directed than individual. An example of the study showed that Americans were more likely to express a compliment to someone, whereas Iranians would often ignore it. However, Malaysians were more likely than Americans to say “I’m sorry” or give an expressive acknowledgment of favor, such as “You did me a great favor,” than most. In the United States, saying thank you is more common, whereas in Japanese culture, gratitude is often repaid with gifts of at least equal value to what one is grateful for. This is especially difficult when a life is at stake.
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus shows us a real event that occurred where he heals ten lepers. While He [Jesus] was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, ten men with leprosy who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So, let me first say that it's obvious Jesus was well-known in the area. They had either seen Jesus before or heard that Jesus was coming. Whatever the dynamics were, these lepers needed healing, and Jesus was the only one who could provide it. Then what happens next is rather astonishing. When He [Jesus] saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” There was no fanfare, no qualifying remarks from Jesus, and no one around to give a proclamation of what Jesus had done. Jesus does not reach out and touch them. He doesn’t say, “Be healed.” He tells them to show themselves to the priest. He was telling them to act as if they were healed, and they were healed. In faith, they started out, and they were healed on the way to show themselves to the priests.
So, if I were to stop here, I think we would clearly see Jesus at work in His regular routine, hearing the requests of those in need, seeing their expressions of love towards Jesus, and so on. Regardless of who these lepers were, the lives they lived, or the sins they committed, Jesus had compassion and healed them. However, we then see that a remarkable decision was made by 9 of the 10 lepers. The ten who acted in faith were healed, but only one came back, praised God, and was grateful. Jesus asks him, “Where are the nine?” (v. 17). We could assume that He felt hurt because nobody thanked Him. But I think He was disappointed for another reason. He tells the leper who came back, “Your faith has made you well” (v. 19). Ten were healed, but only one was made well, and that’s far more important than being healed. Did you get that? Being healed is one thing, but being made well is another. Jesus’ remark underscores the theme of gratitude and faith, highlighting that external religious or ethnic boundaries do not limit God's grace. The point made here, I think, is that unless gratitude is a part of our nature, we can’t be whole people. The other nine were merely healed. Just think. If ingratitude is more deadly than leprosy, these lepers are in far worse shape than before. Only one came back and was made whole.
I do think its worth noting here. Leprosy was a term used for various skin diseases, and those afflicted were deemed unclean and often isolated from the community. According to Jewish law, as described in parts of the Torah, such as Leviticus, those healed had to present themselves to a priest to be declared clean. Jesus, being Jewish and following God’s laws, directed the lepers to do just that. This demonstrates just how important God’s laws are with our religious life. It wasn’t enough for God to heal them, but to emphasize the importance of following God's own laws. This is one of many accounts where we see God never contradicting himself, but fulfilling what was promised.
Let me go back to something. God healed all the lepers, but only faith made the one leper whole again. Faith and gratitude are mutually reinforcing. A strong faith enables believers to see God’s hand at work and respond with gratitude, while a heart of gratitude reaffirms trust in God’s sovereignty and love. This cycle empowers Christians to live joyfully and purposefully, regardless of external circumstances. To live this life with faith and gratitude, I would like to leave you with these reflections:
Reflect on Gratitude: Consistently set aside time to express thankfulness for both the large and small blessings in your life. Just as the one leper returned to give thanks to Jesus in Luke 17:15-16, let us also be intentional in recognizing God's goodness. Cultivate a heart that acknowledges every gift, no matter how small, and respond with praise and thanksgiving.
Practice Humility: True gratitude often flows from a humble heart. Remember that your achievements are not solely your own doing but are the result of God's grace and the support of others. As James 4:6 reminds us, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Stay grounded, recognizing your dependence on God and others.
Acknowledge Healing and Deliverance: Take time to reflect on the areas in your life where you have experienced healing or freedom—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Much like the leper who was not only healed but made whole (Luke 17:19), consider how these transformative moments have shaped your relationship with God and impacted your faith journey.
Reach Out and Help Others: As a response to God's mercy, extend that same compassion to others. Galatians 5:13 encourages us to 'serve one another humbly in love.' Look for opportunities to be a blessing—whether through acts of service, a listening ear, or practical support to those in need—demonstrating the love and grace you have received.
Express Gratitude Publicly: When appropriate, share your gratitude openly, just as the healed leper returned and glorified God with a loud voice (Luke 17:15). Whether it's offering a testimony, giving public thanks, or acknowledging the contribution of others, let your gratitude be a light that points others to God's faithfulness.
Maintain Faithfulness: Do not allow blessings to lead to spiritual complacency. Continue in your walk with God through prayer, scripture, and worship. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us, 'In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.' Let gratitude be a regular, unwavering part of your spiritual life.
Stay Connected with Your Community: Fellowship with your church or support network provides encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth. As Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes, we are to 'stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together.' A community of faith nurtures humility, gratitude, and service in our lives.