Now that Thanksgiving has passed and the holiday rush begins, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect: What are you truly thankful for? Gratitude may be easy to express around a holiday meal, but the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 reminds us that thanksgiving is meant to be more than a seasonal tradition.

In the story, Jesus heals ten lepers who cry out for mercy. As they obey His instruction to show themselves to the priests, they are cleansed. But only one—a Samaritan—returns to thank Jesus, falling at His feet and glorifying God. Jesus asks a powerful question: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

This question resonates through time, challenging us today. Are we like the one who returned to express gratitude, or like the nine who received the blessing but forgot the Giver?

Gratitude isn’t just a polite “thank you” but a deliberate recognition of God’s goodness. The Samaritan who returned didn’t stop at expressing thanks—he glorified God and humbled himself before Jesus. In contrast, the other nine, while likely overjoyed at their healing, missed the deeper opportunity to connect with the Healer.

How often do we do the same? We pray for help or provision, but when those prayers are answered, we move on without pausing to thank God. Gratitude honors God as the source of every good thing, it cultivates humility by reminding us of our dependence on Him, and it transforms our hearts, aligning us with His will.

While the healing of the lepers was miraculous, it points to an even greater gift: salvation. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has saved us from sin, offering us eternal life. This is the most profound reason to give thanks.

Paul reminds us in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” No matter what challenges we face, this eternal gift gives us hope, joy, and purpose. Even when earthly blessings feel scarce, the assurance of salvation is reason enough to return to Jesus in gratitude.

Now that the Thanksgiving season has passed, take a moment to reflect. Have you thanked God not only for your blessings but for the greatest gift of all—His salvation? The story of the ten lepers challenges us to not just count our blessings but to actively thank the One who provides them.

Let’s strive to be like the one who returned, glorifying God and giving thanks, rather than like the nine who forgot. As you step into the busy days ahead, remember that Jesus didn’t just meet your earthly needs—He saved your soul. That is the foundation of true gratitude.

So, as the question lingers in your heart, consider this: What are you thankful for—and have you thanked the One who gave it all?