One of my all time favorite passages on worship is found in the book of Luke, Chapter 17. Many don’t see it as a worship passage, but in this passage the Bible reveals one of the most important attitudes of the heart that we as worshipers of Jesus must possess.

In Luke 17, we find Jesus approaching a village on His way to Jerusalem. As He approached, He was met outside the village entrance by 10 men with leprosy. The Bible says the men pleaded with Jesus to have pity on them and heal their bodies. Jesus had compassion and told these men to go show themselves to the priest ……And as they went to see the priest they were cleansed! The Bible goes on to say that one of the 10 men, having seen that he was clean, came back praising God with a LOUD voice (vs 15). He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.

Here is the question; What drove this man back to the feet of Jesus? What fueled his worship? The Bible says in verse 16 that the man was full of gratitude. Thankfulness overflowed from his heart. So much in fact that he made a conscience decision to stop what he was doing, turn around, go back to Jesus and with a loud voice….he praised and worshiped God……..That my friend is extravagant worship. The springboard of our worship of God MUST be gratitude. Thanksgiving is the key that opens the gates to God’s presence. For we enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise!  How wonderful that we can enter in, just as we are, with gratitude in our hearts and thanksgiving on our tongues! Love That!

The truth is, those of us in Christ have all been healed from something far worse than leprosy. Leprosy can destroy one’s body, but can’t touch the soul. It is the wages of sin that destroys the soul. But thanks (there’s that word again) be to God who gives us the victory through Christ Jesus, His son. One act of love, one cruel death on a cross, one drop of Jesus’ blood is enough to cleanse, redeem, restore, heal, and save our souls….in light of this, how could we not respond to God like this man…….” When he saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God with a LOUD VOICE. he threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him…..Luke 17:15……

Jesus’ response?  “Were not all ten cleansed?  Where are the other nine?”