“Then Jesus said, ‘I surely made ten men well again. There should be another nine men somewhere! But only this one man came back to thank God. And he is a foreign man from Samaria!” Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭EASY‬‬

In Luke 17:11–19, Jesus encounters ten lepers crying out for mercy. Standing at a distance because of their disease, they plead, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” Jesus responds not with immediate healing but with a command: “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they obey, they are healed along the way.

However, only one of the ten—a Samaritan—returns to thank Jesus, falling at His feet in worship. Jesus asks, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then He tells the man, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

This story reveals much about human nature and the heart of God. All ten lepers had faith to cry out to Jesus and obey His instructions, but only one had the heart to return and express gratitude. 

His thankfulness set him apart, and Jesus noted that it was his faith, demonstrated through his gratitude, that made him “well” in a deeper, spiritual sense.

We can all relate to the nine who were healed but didn’t return. How often do we receive blessings—answers to prayer, unexpected provisions, or even daily grace—without stopping to give thanks? Like the nine, we can become so focused on the blessing or our next steps that we forget the One who provided it.

Gratitude is a form of worship. It reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). When we acknowledge His hand in our lives, we not only honor Him but also deepen our faith and relationship with Him.

The Samaritan’s return shows us that gratitude isn’t just an obligation; it’s a choice. He was the least likely to be commended—a foreigner, an outcast—but his heart of worship drew him closer to Jesus.

Take time each day to recall specific blessings in your life. Write them down or speak them aloud in prayer. Don’t just feel thankful—express it! Thank God in prayer and share your gratitude with others. Let blessings draw you closer to God, not just to the gift. Seek the Giver above all else.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your unending mercy and grace. Forgive me for the times I have taken Your blessings for granted. Help me to cultivate a heart of gratitude and to return to You in worship, just as the Samaritan leper did. Teach me to see Your hand in every season and to live a life that honors You. Amen.