Only One Gave Thanks–Why Thanksgiving Matters

The following is an excerpt from With Thanksgiving that teaches the significance of thanksgiving in God’s eyes.

Ten men with leprosy cried out to Jesus at a distance. In that culture, having leprosy meant being labeled as unclean and being isolated from society (see Leviticus 13:45-46). We don’t know the stories of these men or any of the details of their background or journey. But we can deduce that their lives must have been filled with pain and heartache.

Then came Jesus. Undoubtedly, these men had heard the testimonies of other lepers who had been healed by this controversial Rabbi. Could they also be cleansed? Was it too much to hope for? As the news came of Jesus walking through a village in their vicinity, they knew this was their opportunity. They kept their distance but raised their voices and cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13).

Jesus’ response was interesting. In a previous situation, He had reached out His hand to touch a leper, making him clean (see Luke 5:12-13). This time He responded by simply saying, “Go, show yourselves to the priests” (Luke 17:14). Their obedience to this directive was an act of faith, because in the law of Moses, lepers who were cleansed were supposed to show themselves to the priest to verify their healing (see Leviticus 14:1-4).

Their obedience and step of faith paid off: “And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). At some point on their journey to the temple, they were healed. Imagine the joy they must have experienced in that moment!

A powerful miracle had occurred for each of these men. But that is not how the story ends. There is a lesson on the importance of thanksgiving in the remaining verses, as you can see written below.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:15-19)

One of the men—a Samaritan—decided to return to Jesus. After being healed, this man’s heart was filled with gratitude and praise to God. He had to express His thanks to Jesus, so he came back, fell at His feet, and gave thanks with a loud voice. (Jews and Samaritans were at odds with each other, and Samaritans were considered “less than.” This adds another dimension to this situation, as the one who would have been seen as spiritually inferior was the only one who responded appropriately.)

Notice that in giving thanks to Jesus, this Samaritan got to see Him up close. While his petition for healing was at a distance, his thanksgiving brought him face to face. So, while all ten lepers received a healing, only this one truly encountered the Healer. As we will explore later in the book, thanksgiving is a God-ordained way to draw near to Him.

One Out of Ten

Jesus’ response to all of this shows that He was grieved that the others did not return to give thanks and praise. He seemed astonished and perplexed that while ten were healed, only one gave thanks. While all ten were ecstatic to be cleansed, only one recognized the source of the healing and acknowledged Him. Only one took the time to express gratitude. Only one remembered to offer praise. Only one gave glory to God. Only one gave thanks.

Only one out of ten—that’s not a large percentage. And if this proportion holds true in a general sense, there is quite a vast lack of thanksgiving where it is due. This absence must certainly grieve the heart of God. And it is not because God needs us to say “thank you.” It is that thanksgiving—or the lack thereof—communicates something far deeper than the words that are expressed.

• • Thanksgiving communicates appreciation while its lack communicates entitlement.
  • Thanksgiving recognizes dependence on God while its lack demonstrates reliance on self.
  • Thanksgiving shows an attitude of humility while its lack is rooted in pride.
  • Thanksgiving acknowledges God as the source while its lack forgets where the gift came from.
  • Thanksgiving gives the glory to God while its lack robs Him of glory that is due Him.

A heart that is prone to give thanks is a heart that is near to God and in tune with His ways. When we take time to express gratitude, we are valuing the Lord and not taking His gifts and goodness for granted.

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The topic of thanksgiving can be found woven throughout the pages of Scripture, but we have often not seen its true value and significance in the life of a believer. With Thanksgiving is all about the transforming power of giving thanks. It is a short but powerful study on the topic of thanksgiving.