I’ve felt called to spend some time studying gratitude in an effort to work on my own negative tendencies and the Lord recently gave me an amazing glimpse into Scripture.
In Luke Chapter 17, Jesus is traveling to Jerusalem when He hears ten men with leprosy calling out to Him in desperation. Most likely, they didn’t expect a response, but they were used to announcing their ailment whenever anyone walked by.
Jesus did respond, and He instructed them to show themselves to the priests. It says that as they walked, they were cleansed.
The Greek word for cleansed in this passage is “katharizo,” and it means “to cleanse by curing.”
After they are healed, one of them recognizes that he is not leprous anymore (the Greek for healed in this passage is “iaomai” which means to be cured) and goes back to thank Jesus.
So all of them are not leprous anymore but only one has returned to thank the Lord.
Upon falling at Christ’s feet, Jesus tells him to “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19)
I was intrigued by the fact that while the rest of the Greek words refer to healing of a sickness, only the leper who returns is told that he has been made well.
So what is the difference?
Actually, quite a bit.
The original meaning of the word “well” in this passage is “sozo,” and it means more than a physical healing.
It means that in the Biblical sense, the man was saved.
It seems gratitude is an intimate part of our salvation. This doesn’t mean that our salvation is earned by it. But it does challenge us to think about how we are living it out that gift every day.
I want to encourage all of us to fall at His feet in gratitude, if for no other reason than that we are “sozo.” Loved from before the beginning of time.
Let’s be like the leper who returns in shameless gratitude, spilling out our thanks as we lay at His feet.
After all, He has made us well.
I want to be the one in ten.
You too?
Leave a Comment
Kristen - Moms Sharpening Moms says
You bet, girl!
Great post, Angie. I love how you are able to bring Spiritual truths forward with such clarity.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Southern Gal says
Me, too.
Carrie says
That was really beautiful, just wanted I needed. Thank You!!
Jenni Saake - InfertilityMom says
Thank you for these great thoughts. I love leaning the meanings of the original language. 🙂
Tatum says
Me too! 🙂 Great, post. Thanks for your encouraging words. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lauren Kelly says
Loved this Angie. You have a way with words like no other and blesses the socks off me. Love you! 🙂
gitz says
I love learning more about these meanings, and what you’re describing is exactly how I’m feeling. I wrote today about being isolated on this holiday, but being so incredibly grateful for the same things I am every day. I am physically sick and isolated, but He has made me well.
Jessica says
Gratitude has transformed my life. How I see. How I live and breath. I didn’t realize what an ungrateful brat I had been until I started offering praise.
Thank you for this post and defining words. Life giving words.
So good.
thegypsymama says
Yes. Yes. May we too be able to say, “It is well with my soul.” No matter what the waves and wind might try to tell us otherwise.
Kristi says
Sooo true! Thank YOU too for writing so beautifully. God has given you an amazing talent, and I’m sure it pleases Him to see that you’re using it to bring Him glory – and praise! Happy Thanksgiving!
alece says
i so want to live with a one-in-ten kind of heart.
Rachel says
My husband just preached on this for our community Thanksgiving service.
Great thoughts!
Debbie says
I also want to be one of the ten. I’m learning to live a lifestyle of thankfulness instead of just at Thanksgiving. Posting a weekly Thankful Thursday helps too as I’m on the lookout during the week for what I can be thankful for. It changes your perspective.
Thanks for the teaching on Luke 17 Angie; great post to keep gratitude on my mind.
Blessings,
Debbie
Claire says
Absolutely. What a great post!
Cxx
Kelsey Shaw says
I remember you sharing this at the women’s retreat (sorry to always bring up the retreat…haha), but in all seriousness I loved this story, and I learned a lot from the things you’ve learned by looking at it deeper.
Thanks again for sharing!
lovealways,
Kelsey
KLong says
Thank you, that really spoke to me.
K Nelson says
I was struck by something else as I was reading this. Even though only one man was ‘saved’ the others were still healed. Jesus still worked a miracle in their lives, giving them all the same opportunity.
I am praying for someone who I love very much to be saved. My biggest prayer is that when God gives him these opportunities to believe, he will become the one of ten. My eyes fill with tears at the thought of this man falling at the feet of Jesus and saying “Thank you.”
melissa @ the inspired room says
YES! Beautiful reminder, Angie! Praying for you!
xo
Amy says
Just read this, after posting on gratitude myself. We don’t celebrate this principle of thanksgiving as a culture in NZ, but it is so crucial to understand. Love the way you worded this. Beautiful.