An attitude of Gratitude. Luke 17:11-19

By: Ysrael De la Cruz

Dennis Prager, in his book “Happiness is a Serious Problem” states “There is a secret to happiness, and it is gratitude.  All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy.  We tend to think that it is being unhappy that leads people to complain, but it is truer to say that it is complaining that leads people to become unhappy.  Become grateful and you will become much happier person.”

We are entering the season of Thanksgiving; a holiday in our calendar to remind ourselves to be grateful.  We often forget to thank God for his blessings in our lives.  When was the last time you showed gratitude toward God?

The gospel of Luke tells us a story of a man who couldn’t thank Jesus enough for what he did for him. Read text. Luke 17:11-19

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem; He was between the border of Galilee and Samaria.  He was going to a village where he was met by 10 men with leprosy.  Leprosy in Biblical times covered all infectious skin diseases (bright spot, swelling or boils).  A leper wasn’t allowed to come within six feet of any other human, including his own family. Lepers lived in a community with other lepers until they either got better or died. This was the only way the people knew to contain the spread of this contagious disease.

Notice that the ten men with leprosy stood at a distance (v.12).  They were not allowed by law to come near a healthy person. They would go around shouting “unclean, unclean” to warn people not to come near. They would remain unclean as long as they have the disease.  (Leviticus 13:45-46). Lepers were considered utterly unclean—physically and spiritually

These men called out to Jesus (v.13) “Jesus , Master have pity on us! (have mercy on us)

Jesus sent them to go see the priests (v.14) “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”

Jesus told them something that went against their logic.  Why would Jesus send them to the priests?  People with leprosy would only go to the priests to be examined if there was a change in their condition.  Jesus did not heal them when they met; their condition had not not change.  They asked Jesus to have mercy on them and Jesus told them to go see the priests.  It did not make sense.  However, they did not question Jesus command.  They obeyed it.  They showed faith in their going to where Jesus sent them, even though they had not experienced any cleansing yet. (Faith is trusting God even when what he says doesn’t make sense to you)

As they were going; the miracle happened (v.14).  Sometimes people forfeit God’s blessing because they are not willing to take Jesus as his word.  There are people who lose God’s provision because they are not willing to obey God’s voice. Their miracle happened on their way to go see the priests for examination.  They showed great faith in Jesus’ words.  They left even though no changed had occurred in their condition. But when they put their faith to action their miracle happened.

Verses 15-16 One of the them when he saw he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan. ESV

This man wanted to show Jesus how thankful he was for his healing.  He knew the visit to the priest can wait; he wanted to go back to thank the one who made him whole.

Check out Jesus’ point here (vv.17-18)

Where are the other nine?

Was no one found to give praise to God except this foreigner?

Rise and go, your faith has made you well.

Gratitude goes against our nature; it takes effort.

One out of ten showed gratitude.  It’s easy to get caught up in the moment that we forget to say thank you.  Nine of the ten continued their way to be examined by the priests; but one of them turned back to thank the one from whom the miracle came.  We try to teach our children early in life to be grateful when someone does something nice to them or for them.  The reason we must teach them is because being grateful doesn’t come naturally.

This man, a Samaritan had the right perspective.  He returned praising God in a loud voice.   Jesus said only this foreigner returned to give praise to God.  Jesus reaffirmed to him that his faith made him well. (v.19)  “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Gratitude will become automatic when you let God’s word change your perspective.

The Jewish nation was told to always remember the LORD. Their provider; they were commanded to never forget the one who fought their battles and brought them to the land of the promise.  One of the ways people were always reminded to be grateful was through their offering sacrifices to God.  They had freewill offerings and thanksgiving offerings.  Through these offerings they would thank God for forgiveness, provision and protection.

King David had the right attitude about gratitude; he wrote so many songs about giving thanks to God.  He said, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God  that cost me nothing.” 2 Sam.24:24 ESV

The apostle Paul had the right perspective; he was even grateful for his imprisonment.  1 Thess.5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.: NIV

The more you treasure the word of God, the more grateful you’ll be because it will change your perspective.  You will see his hand in everything; you will always return to him in praises for what he does on your behalf.  God’s works always caused people to praise and revere him. Don’t let your blessings blind you from the true source of the blessing.  Don’t let the gift blind you from the giver.

Have you thanked God today for what he’s done and is doing in your life?

Let’s thank him together.