Relationship
So, Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ » (Luke 17: 1 7, 18)
On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus met ten lepers who begged Him to heal them of their terrible disease. Jesus did not heal them immediately, but He sent them to the priests. On their way to the temple, they miraculously got healed. One of them came back and «with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks» (vv. 15, 16). We are told nothing else about the ungrateful nine.The most important lesson of this story is gratitude. -The other nine were probably Jews who felt that it was their right to be healthy and saved because of their condition as a chosen people. They did not find it necessary to go back to the Master and thank Him for this great miracle. The other one, who was a humble immigrant, had less rights and felt the love of Jesus and clearly expressed it through his words and actions. Jesus answered him with sweet certainty: «Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well» (v. 19).
Kind words of gratitude are a useful balm in every interpersonal relationship. Sara Algoe and Barbara Fredrickson, from The University of North Carolina, carried out a study on gratitude and repeated it several times with various subjects in different places. results were similar. Pairs of friends participated in the study where they had to perform tasks as a team. researchers divided the group in two: the experimental group and the control group. In the experimental group, each member privately received the instructions to express their appreciation and gratitude toward their friend for something in particular. They gave no instructions to the control group.
They were all monitored for six months in order to evaluate the quality of their relationship after the experiment. It was noted that the members of the experimental group (those who expressed gratitude) enjoyed a better relationship during this time than the control group.When Jesus acknowledged the gratitude shown by the leper it wasn’t because the Lord needed appreciation but because the leper himself would benefit from it. The one who expresses gratitude receives more benefits than the one who receives it. Today, choose someone to whom you are truly grateful. Openly and clearly express your gratitude by talking or writing to him or her. A feeling of satisfaction and well-being will come over you. Show gratitude to your Creator, too, and the outcome will bring significant results.
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Junior 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & Emmanuel Tapia
