Thanksgiving

Ten Lepers - a story about Gratitude

"Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God." Luke 17

Happy Thanksgiving!  Here is a story about gratitude.  Let's say I was making my way to the local grocery store to buy a 25lb turkey for thanksgiving.  

A robber approached me, held me at gun point, and stole my leather wallet.

I can still be grateful to God in four ways.  First, I'm grateful that he took my wallet and not my life.  Secondly, although he has taken all the money in my wallet, he didn't take very much.  Thirdly, I'm grateful that it has never happened to me before or to the people I know.  Fourthly, I'm grateful that I was robbed and not the robber.  I'm grateful that I don't have to do that in order to survive.  Despite the unfortunate circumstances, I can still be grateful to God.  

The story of Christ healing the ten lepers is not only about Christ demonstrating that He is the beloved son of God.  

But it's also about gratitude.  Although all 10 were healed from leprosy, but only one returned and give thanks to Christ.  

My attention is drawn to the person that showed appreciation to Christ.  Christ was surprised by this person.  Nevertheless, Christ praises him for his faith, and for his manner of giving thanks.  

I can learn a lot from his manner of giving thanks to Christ.  First of all, he knelt down before Christ and gave thanks in a loud voice.   In other words, it is not hidden.  It's not secretive.  It is for all people to see.  Everyone around him saw this.  It's in the public eye.  

Imagine if you are at the local grocery buying a turkey, and someone runs up to you and kneels down in front of you and give thanks to you for something that you did for them.  Everybody could see that!  It is public and visible.  

If this happens to me, I would personally tell him: just send me a thank you card.  Just text me.  But not for this man.  He wanted everyone to know.  He wanted everyone to know what Christ did for him.  Christ was kind to him.  Christ showed him mercy.  Everyone should know about that.  

Showing gratitude to God is not meant to be hidden, and secretive, but to be made visible and publicly known.  It is for all people to see!  

Another thing I learn from this man is that he wasn't embarrass to show gratitude.  He wasn't thinking about himself.  He was worried about how other people perceive him.  If I get on my hands and knees, people may think I'm crazy.  He wasn't worried about any of that.  He wasn't embarrassed to show gratitude.  

Also, the healed leper wasn't thinking about how the other 9 people are going to show gratitude to Christ.  He wasn't comparing himself to the other 9.  He is not thinking: Since they are not returning to give thanks, maybe I shouldn't do it either.  After all, We spent a lot if time together because of the leprosy.  We have become close friends.  I'm part of their unit.  I'm part of their gang.  I need to stick with them.  

Since my new friends are not giving thanks, maybe I shouldn't give thanks to Christ either.  That's not the way this man acted.  He didn't worry how the others are going to show appreciation to Christ.  He was not comparing himself to them.  He did this on his own.  It shows his sincere thanksgiving.  He returned on his own to give thanks to God.

Thanksgiving to God is not to be concern with the way I look to others.  Thanksgiving to God is not being worried about how others perceive me.  Thanksgiving to God is not concerned about how I compare myself to others.  Thanksgiving to God is to made public and visible for all to see.  

Happy thanksgiving and may you be courageous in showing gratitude!