Jesus taught about gratitude through His actions and parables, highlighting its importance in our relationship with God and others. Although He did not always use the term “gratitude” explicitly, His teachings and actions demonstrated a profound appreciation for God’s gifts and the importance of expressing thankfulness.
One notable example is the story of Jesus healing ten lepers, found in Luke 17:11-19 . In this story, ten lepers are healed by Jesus, but only one, a Samaritan, returns to express gratitude. Jesus acknowledges this act of gratitude by asking, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” This indicates the significance Jesus places on recognizing and expressing gratitude for the blessings received.
Another instance of Jesus expressing gratitude is before the raising of Lazarus, when He says, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me” (John 11:41) . This moment of thanksgiving demonstrates Jesus’ continual acknowledgment of the Father’s will and His gratitude for the Father’s responsiveness to His requests.
Three main takeaways from Jesus’ teachings on gratitude are:
- Gratitude is Expected: Jesus expects us to be grateful for the blessings we receive. The story of the ten lepers illustrates that gratitude is not just a spontaneous response but a necessary acknowledgment of God’s grace in our lives.
- Gratitude Strengthens Faith: Expressing gratitude to God, as Jesus did, demonstrates trust in His providence and acknowledgment of His role in our lives. It is a faith-building exercise that draws us closer to God.
- Gratitude is for Everyone: The Samaritan leper, often considered an outsider, was the one who returned to give thanks. This teaches us that gratitude transcends social and ethnic boundaries; it is a universal virtue that everyone can and should express.
Through His teachings and examples, Jesus emphasizes the importance of gratitude in fostering a deeper relationship with God and leading a fulfilling life.