Gratitude is a biblical principle that involves more than thankfulness. The practice of gratefulness yields joy, hope and wholeness. Let’s take a look at an example from the bible:

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that 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. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”      Luke 17: 11-19

This portion of scripture, at first glance, doesn’t seem to be about gratitude, yet, at closer look, it is gratitude that makes the leper whole.

Lepers were not allowed to be close the rest of the population. In these verses, leprosy refers to any condition of the skin. I imagine it could have been anything that could be seen by the human eye to affect the skin.

All of this population were outcasts. They were poor. They were disenfranchised. They were considered and treated as less than human.  From a distance they shouted for mercy. They wanted to be healed.

Despite the blessings He may bestow on us, God always requires us to take action.

In this scripture the action taken by Jesus was very simple. He required no dipping or dunking (John 9:7). He didn’t tell them to get up or take their beds (John 5:8). Jesus didn’t even spit in the dirt (John 9:6). Jesus sent them on their way to be examined and approved by the priests so they could return to society. Jesus told them to go. In order to be healed they had to GO to the priests so the healing could be validated and they could enter the community again.

The scripture says as they went they were cleansed. They were made clean from the skin diseases that afflicted them. It was a big deal. As they walked their skin cleared. It was made fresh and clean and new. Their simple action was to walk to the priests. Jesus had mercy. He instructed them to go. They went. They were healed. He required nothing more from them.

Jesus Has More to Give Us Than Clear Skin

One of the men returned to thank Jesus. He was a Samaritan. The Samaritans and Jews were at odds. Jewish people saw the Samaritans as outsiders. They were not truly included in Jewish society. Because of this Samaritans were careful to keep their space.   Yet, this man, in his gratitude approached a man who is known to be a Jewish Rabbi. This man, in his gratitude, ignored what he was “supposed” to do. He was motivated by a heart overwhelmed with thankfulness.

Jesus again gave attention to this man. See, in these verses the man was healed from the sickness which afflicted him. He was healed physically. His body was restored to health. The last few lines of what Jesus says reveals the impact a grateful heart can have on a situation.

Jesus points out that this man is the only one who returned to praise God. I don’t think it’s because Jesus is shocked, offended or even surprised. Personally, I think it’s because Jesus had so much more to give these outcasts than just clear skin. The Samaritan’s act of gratitude by returning to praise God brought him complete wholeness.

The man’s act of gratitude is what made him well.  Jesus said, “your faith has made you well.” The healed man’s recognition and gratitude of the grace and power of Jesus made him whole. Not just healed but whole, and complete.

It’s important to recognize Jesus still healed the afflicted who didn’t return to praise God for their healing. He didn’t withdraw that miracle from them. But the man who praised God, the man who was thankful was made whole. I imagine he was filled with joy and danced away telling everyone what Jesus did for him.

How much more will our hearts be healed and filled when we offer thanksgiving prayers to God?