Devotional Thoughts on Thankfulness and Luke 17:14-18
When [Jesus] saw [the lepers], he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw 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? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”
(Luke 17:14-18)
Live each day like the leper who came back, praising God . . . that’s where my mind went as I read this account from Jesus’ ministry. Live like the leper who knows what thankfulness does in our hearts: It prompts thanksgiving and praise to God.
Were the other nine not thankful? Of course we wouldn’t go that far. Scripture doesn’t tell us. Putting the best construction on their actions, might they have simply been caught up in the excitement of being able to return to their lives—free of leprosy?
However, we do know our own responses to God’s goodness and undeserved mercy that he shows us in our lives. I don’t always come back, thanking God for some unexpected, undeserved blessing. I often don’t notice them. I take them for granted, and opportunities to return praising God and thanking him are missed. I fail to be thankful.
Maybe you do too at times.
God, forgive us! Help us live as lepers—as Samaritan lepers—who keep coming back to you, time and time again, each and every day. Help us look to Jesus for the peace and forgiveness that only he can give. Help us fall at his feet and say, “Thank you, for . . . everything.” And then help us get up each day and live for him, praising him with thankful, grateful hearts.
Martin Luther’s final written words are so true: “We are beggars, all . . .” It’s only because of God’s amazing, undeserved goodness and love that we have anything at all. And in Jesus, God has given us everything! Our sins are forgiven. We have a home in heaven waiting for us. We are cleansed from sin, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Thank you. Thank you, Jesus.
Help us never get caught up in the temporary, but fix our eyes on you and the eternal blessings you give. Help us be mindful of the blessings you give, both earthly and spiritual—and not take them for granted. Help us live like lepers. Foreigners. Beggars. Holding out our hands for mercy—knowing it’s undeserved and yet also knowing that you, O God, will give it, because that’s who you are.
Help us always return to give you praise.
Thank you, God!
For Further Reading
364 Days of Thanksgiving: A Devotional Journal is a unique book that will help you and your loved ones focus on all the amazing blessings God gives you throughout the year and teach you what it looks like to be overwhelmingly thankful.
For more Christ-centered content every week, join our free email list below:
Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House and a 2023 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation with his family.
Leave a Reply