Even the nicest, most sacrificial people need to hear a “thank you” every once in awhile. Including Jesus. One scene in Jesus’ ministry shows this to us. But before we jump into that scene in Scripture, you need to know that in Jesus’ day, there was a lot of bad blood—hatred, really—between the Jews and an ethnic group called the Samaritans. And for the record, Jesus was a Jew.
[You can download a PDF of this devo HERE]
- Digging In (God, Show Me!)
Read Luke 17:11-19 below. As you do, note every mention of Jesus. If you have printed out this devo, mark these mentions of Jesus with a cross to help notice more detail.
Luke 17:11-19
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
After reading the passage, use the questions below to hep you process this scene.
How many lepers came back to thank Jesus?
What was the nationality of the leper who returned?
How did he thank Jesus?
How did Jesus react to this?
- Taking It Inward (God, Teach Me!)
So, what about you? How long has it been since you thanked Jesus for what He’s done for you? To jog your memory for what Jesus has done for you, read the verses noted below. These contain a few things Jesus did that are worthy of a thank you. As you read these verses, note things that Jesus did and note anything that describes you as a result of what Jesus did.
| Romans 7:24-25
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 |
Colossians 1:9-12
Hebrews 13:12-15 1 Peter 2:9-10 |
- Putting Into Practice (God, Change Me!)
Research has shown that grateful teens have a much better outlook on life: socially, mentally, academically. In fact, research has shown that teens who are grateful toward God are less stressed, experience less anxiety, and are less depressed. Somehow it seems God knows this to be the case, which is why thankfulness is built into the gospel message.
Let’s get hyper-practical for a second. Write a thank-you note or a text message to God, and send it to a friend. Then write another thank-you to someone who’s done something—even something small—for you.
It made Jesus’ day when the former leper came back to thank Him. So, go ahead—make Jesus’ day!
[You can download a PDF of this devo HERE]