Bible Verse: Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. (Philippians 2:14-15)
Scripture Reading: Luke 17:11-19
This week, we are looking at gratitude through the acronym T.H.A.N.K.S.
Once, there were ten men. They were lepers, which meant that they were sick – very, very sick. They had a disease that would result in a slow and painful death. Not only that, but it would be a lonely death. They were isolated from their families and their societies. They were despised. They were rejected. They had no hope of a full and meaningful life; they were dead men walking.
They only had each other for company. They were a sorry crowd with no positive outlook.
Until one particular day when they encountered Jesus (see Luke 17:11-19).
Religious and societal laws required them to keep their distance from anyone who didn’t have leprosy. So, from a distance, they called out, “Have pity on us.”
Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests. It seemed like an odd command because they would have done that before, and there had been no change. However, they complied and went. On the way, though, they were healed! It must have been an incredible moment. One moment, they were lepers; the next, they were perfectly clean. Not only was their health restored, but their relationships would be restored, their place in society would be restored, and their hope would be restored. It was extraordinary!
Then, the strangest thing happened. Only one of the ten men turned back to say “thank you” to Jesus—the other nine simply went on with their lives.
It was a terrible slight on their part. It was rude. It was completely dishonouring.
Yet despite that, they still received the healing; their leprosy didn’t suddenly return.
This is how Jesus works. He blesses us whether we give thanks or not. But what can’t be denied is that there is something dishonouring about a person who won’t give thanks when they’ve received great gifts from God.
I wish I were as thankful as I should be for all that Jesus has done for me. It honours Him when I give thanks because He deserves it.
Prayer: Lord, you have been so gracious to me. You have been merciful to me, saving me from many terrible things I deserve. You have also been generous to me, giving me many wonderful things I don’t deserve. You do this because it is Your nature, whether or not I give You thanks. Help me to be thankful for all that You have done for me. Help me to honour You because You deserve it. Amen.
Reflection: When did you last thank God for the good things He has done for you? If you were asked to list ten things the Lord did for you yesterday, could you do it? Were you thankful for each and every one?
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