Gratitude Supplants Everything!

Daily Reflection: Luke 17:15-17 — 11/23/2023

15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? — Luke 17:15-17

That the 10 men were called “lepers” (Luke 17:12) in the Bible shows how much this word defined them. Not, “men with leprosy,” but “lepers.”

As “lepers,” they were seen as outcasts, unclean, cursed by God, unsafe, etc. Their very presence created the risk of making others like themselves. Therefore, constantly having to identify themselves by what they were most ashamed of, they had to announce themselves with a shout whenever they approached someone.

“UNCLEAN!”

It was with a shout that they spoke to Jesus, perhaps out of habit, fear, maybe respect, as he was passing between Samaria and Galilee. Note: Passing between two major cities; this was the home for those with leprosy, the in-between. They, “stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us’” (Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭12‬-‭13‬).

Mercy is a form of forgiveness that has restorative power to it; it is pity with resources. Bishop Gregory Palmer said his grandma used to describe God’s mercy as “perfectly suited to my case…” When the 10 men cried out for mercy, that’s what they were looking for: restoration that was suited to their case. They didn’t need to use many words to explain why they needed mercy. They knew; Jesus knew even more.

In this case he didn’t pronounce a healing; rather, he sent them to do what was called for once you were already healed. “Go and show yourselves to the priests” (Luke 17:14). Surely their initial steps were hesitant, perhaps checking their spots to see if they dared enter their respective cities. If they entered without being healed it could spell further disaster!

Each step also meant potential restoration to family, friends, community… dignity. And so they stepped and checked, stepped and checked, hoping to see if something had happened.

One of them thought he saw something, his “spot” was smaller, but he wasn’t sure. Then another shouted, “It worked! It’s gone!” A party erupted in the in-between! Now their hesitant walks turned into joyful sprints. They’re now running towards restoration, family, friends, Life!

Except one; one turned back. His momma raised him right.

For this one, he recognized that something had happened to him; he had received an act of service, a gift. This meant gratitude now supplanted everything on his to-do list. The priest, the reunion, the experience of everything he’d been dreaming about, all those must wait.

Why? Because expressing gratitude is the most important thing. It is the way of humility, the way of response, the way of being with God and others in a way that recognizes their actions for what they were: undeserved gifts of grace.

Sure the remaining 9 were grateful, but they didn’t express it. Unexpressed gratitude robs the recipient and the giver of joy. Think of when a child hands you a painting they made; what’s that longing look on their faces for? They’ve given you something, what else is there? They want to know if you like it. For them to hear “thank you so much,” is actually when their painting is complete, not when they handed it to you. The same is true with everyone, including God.

So when we see a sunrise, or a majestic mountain range, or when we wake up in the morning and realize “God did that!” We must see that our experience of the gift isn’t complete until we’ve said, “thank you so much, Father!”

Responsive gratitude is vital, not merely because it is the polite thing to do, but because it continues the economy of gratitude that is inherent in the Kingdom of God. For generosity to increase and become normative, responsive gratitude is necessary. And responsive gratitude creates an opportunity for the receiver to become a giver.

As Jesus said, “give and it shall be given unto you…” We typically focus on the initial command, “give,” but the “it shall be given unto you” is the opportunity for the recipient to get in on the gratitude game. This creates an economy of gratitude.

What will the child that paints a picture and receives gratitude be inspired to do? Paint another one and give it away. Who knows, perhaps the next Rembrandt is a few “thank you’s” away from discovering their passion and blessing the world.

Back to the passage: That day 10 men were healed, their lives were given back to them, but one was healed and given more because of his gratitude. He gave Jesus the gift of gratitude and Jesus responded by giving more of himself.

“Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭18‬).

His responsive gratitude led to the discovery that the one who healed him was not just a traveling healer, but the very God of heaven and earth. His joy, therefore, was infinitely greater than the 9 who didn’t return.

Almighty God, we bless your name and offer you our thanks. For you looked upon us with pity and, through Jesus Christ, offered mercy that was perfectly suited to our case. Grant that we, having been forgiven and restored, would live lives of expressive gratitude for things small and great. That by doing so joy would flow forth throughout the whole earth. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

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