The story of the healing of the ten lepers, narrated in Luke 17:11-19, highlights the importance of gratitude in the Christian life. At the time the Bible was written, leprosy was an incurable and highly contagious disease, and those who contracted it were considered unclean and excluded from society. In that story, ten lepers approached Jesus, asking him for mercy and healing. Jesus granted their request and healed them, telling them to go and show themselves to the priests.
The biblical text says that all ten lepers were healed, but only one of them returned to thank Jesus. He was a Samaritan, a foreigner, whom Jesus singled out as having genuine faith. Jesus asked where the other nine were, and questioned their absence. “Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).
This biblical passage shows us that although God answers our prayers and blesses us with healing and other blessings, we often forget to be grateful and express our gratitude to Him. Gratitude is a fundamental attitude in the Christian life, and the lack of it can be seen as a disrespect to God’s goodness and a sign of disobedience.
Gratitude is a feeling that should be expressed not only in words, but also in deeds. The act of giving thanks is a humble gesture that recognizes God’s generosity in our lives. When we are grateful, we honor God and demonstrate our trust and faith in him. Also, gratitude helps us maintain a positive outlook towards life, even in difficult times.
The story of the ten lepers teaches us that gratitude is a choice we make, regardless of the circumstances. We must always remember to thank God for his blessings, even when things are not going well. Gratitude is the key to a life filled with joy, peace and contentment.
Aprofunde seus conhecimentos
63. What is the place of the human person in creation?
115. What was the attitude of Jesus toward the temple in Jerusalem?
135. How will Christ judge the living and the dead?
401. In what does the social dimension of man consist?
479. How are the bodies of the deceased to be treated?
215. When will this judgment occur?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What does the statement “God so loved the world that he gave his son” in John 3:16 mean?
How does Job 38:1-11 reveal God’s sovereignty in the midst of suffering?
How does the story of Rich and Lazarus warn us about the consequences of greed? (Luke 16:19-31)
What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself according to James 2:8, and why is it important?
