Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Thanksgiving


By Sam Nobles

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17:15-16 ESV)

True thanksgiving is purposefully looking past our blessings, even the channels through which they come, and realizing the source of them. As believers, thanksgiving is fundamental because we have been forgiven, saved from eternal separation from God, and even adopted into God’s family. I can’t think of a better reason for a person to be thankful.

During the time of Jesus, there were local outcasts who had a highly contagious disease known as leprosy. Their condition ostracized them from their friends, family, community, and synagogue. These poor lepers had no love, no support, and seemingly no way to encounter God. This all changed for 10 lepers who placed themselves in a village between Samaria and Galilee. As Jesus passed through, they desperately called out to Him to have mercy on them. Jesus commanded these 10 lepers to go and show themselves to the priest, and as they obeyed, they noticed they were healed. These 10 men who had been forbidden to come live in their homes, work at their jobs, or even hug their children were now unrestrained by what used to be their death sentence. I can only imagine the joy unspeakable that filled them that day.

One of the lepers, a Samaritan by race, a people group usually shunned by the Jews, stopped and went back to thank Jesus for healing him. Jesus asked this man, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” Ten lepers had been healed, ten lepers were enjoying their newfound health, ten lepers were joyfully rushing to share the good news with their family and friends, but only one considered the source of that blessing and stopped to give thanks. Jesus told this leper, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” The idea is that even though the nine were cleansed from leprosy, the tenth was cleansed from leprosy and saved from his sin as well.

As Christians, we have more reason than any to be thankful and give our thanks to Jesus Christ. He has saved us and given us an abundant life that lasts for an eternity. Is it possible though, that we, like the nine lepers are quick to rush off and glory in our blessings without first stopping to give thanks to the One who made it possible? Remember the source of your blessings. Give thanks to Jesus Christ.
Scripture to Claim:

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23)

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