“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” (Luke 17:15-16a, NKJV).
Happy Thanksgiving! As we gather with our families today to give thanks for all of Daddy God’s goodness to us, this story comes to mind. What jumps out to me, as I’m meditating on it, is how boisterous this man is with the voicing of his gratitude. He is not holding back! Let’s take a closer look:
- He went out of his way to express his thanksgiving. While his nine companions were rushing back to their pre-leprous lives to enjoy the benefits of God’s goodness, this man was rushing to Jesus’ feet. In his profound gratitude, he made the extra trip to connect with the One who had just saved him from a living torment.
- He got loud about expressing his thanksgiving. There was no self-conscious, timid communication in a hushed voice going on here. This ex-leper was letting the four winds know how grateful he was to Jesus.
- He used his whole body to express his thanksgiving. He went all the way down on his face. After years of sickness had eaten away at his body and his soul, he was finally, utterly, gloriously, free. With his entire being, he poured out his gratitude to his Healer.
Clearly, this man’s wholehearted articulation of gratefulness impacted Jesus. The Savior responded to him with these loving words: “Your faith has made you whole” (v. 19b, Bibliotheca).
Up until this point in the story, the word “whole” had not been used. Luke tells us that the ten lepers were cleansed. He tells us that they were healed. But only here, only with this one grateful man, does he tell us that he had become completely whole.
Jesus has cleansed us. He has healed us. But it’s only as we exuberantly pour out our love to Him in return, our wholehearted thanks and adoration for His goodness to us, that we move into complete wholeness.
Has Jesus done mind-blowing things for you? Has He cleansed you? Has He healed you? Has He set you free? Has He restored you? Has He transformed you? Does His unfailing love give you hope and purpose and a reason to be alive? This Thanksgiving, let’s get exuberant about the expression of our gratitude to Him. Let’s fall at His feet and adore Him. The One who gave it all for us deserves our passionate worship. Let’s hold nothing back!
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Can you identify with this ex-leper? Has Jesus rescued you from living torment?
Feeding On Jesus 
More than once; He’s brought me through a few long treacherous storms and events that would otherwise have been my demise game over! I only continue on my path now by infinite grace from Him! 🙏 ❤️ 🙏
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Aaaamen. We’d all be dead if it weren’t for His grace and faithfulness!
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Absolutely Jennifer! Each day is a miracle and a giant gift but we at times lose sight of that Truth being frail needy broken children in great need and the stronger the faith the less the burden!
God bless you Sister!
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Rich blessings of grace and peace to you as well, my brother!
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One of Cinema’s all-time best movie scenes of “the Hope in Action” in a very artistic way as well as a real inspiration in the heart! I’m sure you like it!
God bless.
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I’ll have to check that out!
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Yes please do that Jennifer! A well-made film based around true events in the Bible when such movies were a staple such a different time than now! The performances and list of top billed stars for that period is beautiful! I really enjoy watching older films and have a good collection I’ve been putting together! This film “The Robe” and others like it make me cry, especially so does “The Passion of the Christ” every Easter when I watch it again! I love that such movies were made and people did have much more moral integrity and virtue back then not that many years ago; and perhaps more of that can be elicited from today’s generation, as they hopefully see the wickedness all around now and wake up to how God intended us to live and love each other; then ultimately God through Jesus Christ! Amen.
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Thank You Father for using films for Your glory! I have treasured The Passion of the Christ and watched it over and over during Holy Week too. Thank you for sharing, Lawrence!
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Amen!
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Perceptive distinction: cleansed vs. whole! Thanx for a good word!
❤️&🙏, c.a.
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You are most welcome, C.A.! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙂
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Whole is so much more indeed than physical. Even if we do not celebrate thanksgiving as a holiday (in many nations) let all believers start today from our hearts thanking God that Christ came and approach the remembrance of HIS BIRTH with exuberant JOY. Thank you for your post Jennifer.
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Yes and amen. Father help us grow each day in gratitude and joy!
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A very happy Thanksgiving to you!
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Thank you so much, Debi Sue!
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I love this story, Jennifer. I also love the one in Acts about the crippled man who was healed and went “walking and leaping and praising God”! I’ve been there, too!
I was unable to sing for several months after a serious cold, and it made me so sad! Then one Sunday a favorite song of mine was being sung at church, and I just had to try one more time – *BINGO!* My voice was instantly back! I sang my heart out, and kept singing the rest of the day.
Annie
P. S. The song that released my singing voice again was “Yet Not I, but Through Christ in Me.” 😉
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Aw, YAY! This brings the biggest happy smile to my heart! Thank you so much for makng my evening by sharing it, Annie!
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