Be the One: A Reflection on Gratitude and Wholeness

Be the One: A Reflection on Gratitude and Wholeness
Based on Luke 17:11–19
By Pastor Travis Voeltz

Luke 17:11–19 (ESV)
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.”

Opening Thoughts
Do you own a cell phone? Have you ever sent a text message? What’s the fastest one you’ve ever sent?

For me, it’s probably “yes” or “okay.” Some folks can send three texts before I even respond to the first one. But here’s a better question: how fast are we to send the follow-up message—the “thank you so much” one?

We often ask for things—through texts, calls, or even prayers—but how often do we follow up with gratitude once we’ve received what we asked for?

Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” And the preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “Praise should rise like the mist of earth’s gratitude when God’s love warms the ground.”

When you look back over your life, has God shown up for you? If so—how have you responded? Do you let gratitude rise, or do you just move on?

That’s what’s happening in the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17. It’s about how we respond to God’s goodness—and how gratitude is more than good manners. It’s a vital part of growing in faith.

Ten Lepers and One Response
Jesus was traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee—an area where Jews and Samaritans didn’t usually mix. As He entered a village, ten people with leprosy called out from a distance: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Leprosy wasn’t just a sickness; it was total isolation—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But these ten had faith enough to ask for mercy.

Jesus didn’t heal them on the spot. He told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were healed. They were blessed in motion. God answered while they moved in faith.

But only one turned back.

When that one man realized he was healed, he stopped in his tracks, turned around, and came back praising God at the top of his lungs. He fell at Jesus’ feet in deep gratitude—and Luke makes sure we know he was a Samaritan, an outsider. He realized the blessing was bigger than his clean skin.

The others? They just kept walking. They got what they wanted and went back to life. And if we’re honest, we often do the same. We pray, God answers, and before long we’re moving so fast we forget Who made it happen.

Spurgeon put it plainly: “To be silent over God’s mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude.” Nine were cured—but they weren’t changed.

Healing vs. Wholeness
When the one returned, he didn’t just whisper “thanks.” He fell on his face before Jesus, worshiping openly. Jesus asked, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”

That question still echoes today. Ten were healed, but only one was made whole.

There’s a difference between healing and wholeness. Healing restores your body. Wholeness restores your soul. Gratitude is the bridge between the two.

Faith and thankfulness transform a simple transaction—“I asked, God gave”—into a relationship built on trust and worship. That’s the kind of faith that grows roots. That’s discipleship.

Why Gratitude Matters

1. It Benefits You
Being thankful changes your perspective. It lifts the weight off your shoulders and strengthens your faith. Try keeping a “God Showed Up” journal—or even a jar—where you record moments of answered prayer, big or small. Over time, you’ll start to see just how often God has been working.
2. It Benefits Others
Your gratitude story can lift someone else’s faith. Testimonies are contagious—in the best way. When others hear how God has helped you, it gives hope to hearts that are struggling.
3. It Reflects Heaven
Spurgeon called praise “the most heavenly of Christian duties.” When we worship, we’re doing what we were created to do—it’s practice for eternity. Heaven is filled with never-ending praise. We might as well start now.

Closing Thoughts
We live in a time when it’s easier than ever to be heard. We don’t have to travel for miles or sit through a blizzard to gather for worship. God’s goodness is still all around us—and gratitude shouldn’t be silent.

Let’s not be the nine who moved on. Let’s be the one who turned back, fell at Jesus’ feet, and gave thanks.

Let your gratitude rise like the morning mist warmed by God’s love. Let your praise lead you from healing to true, lasting wholeness.

Stay in the Word daily, it will save your life.