Topical Encyclopedia In the Gospel of Luke, we find a profound account of thankfulness demonstrated by one of the ten lepers whom Jesus healed. This narrative is found in Luke 17:11-19 and serves as a powerful illustration of gratitude towards God, highlighting the importance of recognizing and acknowledging His blessings.The Context As Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee, He encountered ten men afflicted with leprosy. Leprosy, a debilitating and socially isolating disease, rendered its sufferers ceremonially unclean according to Jewish law. These men, therefore, stood at a distance and cried out to Jesus, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (Luke 17:13). The Miracle In response to their plea, Jesus instructed them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests" (Luke 17:14). This directive was in accordance with the Law of Moses, which required a cleansed leper to be examined by a priest and declared clean (Leviticus 14:2-32). As the ten lepers obeyed and went on their way, they were miraculously healed. The Act of Thankfulness Among the ten, only one leper, upon realizing he was healed, returned to Jesus. This man, a Samaritan, fell at Jesus' feet, praising God with a loud voice and giving thanks. Jesus remarked on the absence of the other nine, asking, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where then are the other nine? Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?" (Luke 17:17-18). Significance The Samaritan's act of returning to thank Jesus is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores the importance of gratitude as a response to divine intervention. While all ten lepers were physically healed, only the Samaritan received the commendation of faith from Jesus, who said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well" (Luke 17:19). This suggests a deeper, spiritual healing that accompanies genuine thankfulness. Secondly, the narrative highlights the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry. The Samaritan, considered an outsider by Jewish standards, exemplifies the breaking down of ethnic and religious barriers in the Kingdom of God. His thankfulness is a testament to the universal call to recognize and worship God. Lessons on Thankfulness This account teaches several lessons on thankfulness. It emphasizes the necessity of acknowledging God's work in our lives and the importance of expressing gratitude. The Samaritan's return to Jesus illustrates that thankfulness is not merely a feeling but an action that involves turning back to God and giving Him glory. Furthermore, the account serves as a reminder that blessings should not be taken for granted. The nine lepers who did not return represent those who receive God's gifts but fail to recognize the Giver. The Samaritan's example encourages believers to cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17). In summary, the account of the one thankful leper is a poignant reminder of the power of gratitude and the importance of giving thanks to God for His mercy and grace. Nave's Topical Index Luke 17:15,16And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, Nave's Topical Index Library Where are the Nine? Journey Continued through Samaria. (Luke, xvii. , 11, Seq. ) ... Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty Lives of Faith and Trust The Preface to the Commandments part ii Resources Why is giving thanks to God important? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to walk in the Spirit? | GotQuestions.org What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.org Thankfulness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Thankfulness of Hypocrites, Full of Boasting Thankfulness: Abound in the Faith With Thankfulness: Come Before God With Thankfulness: Expressed in Psalms Thankfulness: Habitually offer Thankfulness: Jesus Set an Example of Thankfulness: Ministers Appointed to offer, in Public Thankfulness: Offer Sacrifices of Thankfulness: Resolve to offer Thankfulness: Saints Exhorted To Thankfulness: Saul, to the Kenites Thankfulness: should Always Accompany Praise Thankfulness: should Always Accompany Prayer Thankfulness: should be Accompanied by Intercession for Others Thankfulness: should be offered for all People Thankfulness: should be offered for all Things Thankfulness: should be offered for Appointment to Spiritual Service Thankfulness: should be offered for Christ's Power and Reign Thankfulness: should be offered for Deliverance from Indwelling Sin, Through Christ Thankfulness: should be offered for Faith Exhibited by Others Thankfulness: should be offered for Love Exhibited by Others Thankfulness: should be offered for the Conversion of Others Thankfulness: should be offered for the Gift of Christ Thankfulness: should be offered for the Goodness and Mercy of God Thankfulness: should be offered for the Grace Bestowed on Others Thankfulness: should be offered for the Nearness of God's Presence Thankfulness: should be offered for the Reception and Effectual Working of the Word of God in Others Thankfulness: should be offered for the Supply of Our Bodily Needs Thankfulness: should be offered for the Triumph of the Gospel Thankfulness: should be offered for the Zeal Exhibited by Others Thankfulness: should be offered for Victory Over Death and the Grave Thankfulness: should be offered for Willingness to offer Our Property for God's Service Thankfulness: should be offered for Wisdom and Might Thankfulness: should be offered in Everything Thankfulness: should be offered in Private Worship Thankfulness: should be offered in Public Worship Thankfulness: should be offered in the Name of Christ Thankfulness: should be offered: Always Thankfulness: should be offered: As the Remembrance of God's Holiness Thankfulness: should be offered: Before Receiving Food Thankfulness: should be offered: On Behalf of God's Servants Thankfulness: should be offered: Through Christ Thankfulness: should be offered: To Christ Thankfulness: should be offered: To God Thankfulness: should be offered: Upon the Completion of Great Undertakings Thankfulness: should Enter God's Gates With Thankfulness: The Heavenly Host Engage In Thankfulness: The Israelites, to Joshua Thankfulness: The People of the Island of Melita (Malta), to Paul Thankfulness: The Spies, to Rahab Thankfulness: The Wicked Averse To Thankfulness: To God of Abraham Thankfulness: To God of Abraham's Servant (Eliezar) Thankfulness: To God of Deborah Thankfulness: To God of Hannah Thankfulness: To God of Jehoshaphat's Army Thankfulness: To God of Jethro Thankfulness: To God of Joseph Thankfulness: To God of Melchizedek Thankfulness: To God of Miriam Thankfulness: To God of Rachel Thankfulness: To God of Samuel Thankfulness: To God of the Jews Thankfulness: To God of the Levites Thankfulness: To God of the People of Israel Thankfulness: To God of the Queen of Sheba Thankfulness: To God of the Sailors Thankfulness: To God of the Shepherds Thankfulness: To God: Before Receiving Food, by Jesus Thankfulness: To God: Blind Bartimaeus Thankfulness: To God: One of the Ten Lepers Whom Jesus Healed Thankfulness: To God: The Demon-Possessed Man Who Was Exorcized Thankfulness: To God: The Lame Man Healed by Peter Thankfulness: To God: The Man Who Was Paralyzed Thankfulness: To God: The Roman Centurion for his Boy Thankfulness: To God: The Woman Who Was Bent Over for Eighteen Years Thankfulness: To the Men of Jabesh-Gilead Related Terms |
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