“When Jesus saw [the ten who had leprosy], He said, ‘Go show yourself to the priest.’ And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them when he saw that he was healed, came back praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him – and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to give praise to God except this foreigner?’” 

Luke 17:14-18

God expects the attitude of gratitude. When the ten lepers called out to Jesus for help and mercy, Jesus commanded them, “Go show yourself to the priest.” The Spirit records that “as they went” all ten “were cleansed!” Interestingly, only the Samaritan came back to Jesus to thank Him. All ten of the lepers had the faith to obey Jesus – and thus were “cleansed” – but only one had gratitude. Most would say that to be “cleansed” is to be saved. Therefore, if we apply this to our day, many saved disciples – perhaps nine out of ten – may not be grateful for the radical changes that God has brought about in our lives, not to mention our very salvation!

In this passage, in answer to the apostles request, “Increase our faith,” Jesus responds that to have the faith to do the seemingly impossible – “to plant a mulberry tree in the sea” – we should obey God’s Word as “unworthy servants, [who] have only done our duty.” Following this answer, then Luke records the account of the healing of the ten lepers, where only one of which returned to thank Jesus. Here we learn that faith, which is obedience to God’s Word, needs to be coupled with gratefulness. Otherwise, our Christianity will be reduced to a list of do’s and don’ts – a very dry, staid relationship with God.

Let us all strive to possess the attitude of gratitude. And to God be all the glory!

Kip McKean