“And one of them…turned back and with a loud voice glorified God and fell down on his fact at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.” Luke 17:15-16
We are so quick to remember our gifts - to give thanks even, for our gifts. But do we take time to remember the Giver?
This passage in Luke is such a familiar one - perhaps too familiar? Perhaps we see its reflection in our hearts?
Of course, in Luke, these ten lepers had been driven from society and sought what little comfort they could find in the fellowship of one another. Having heard of the miraculous cures of Christ, they sought Him. They proved their faith by their obedience. Jesus justified their faith by healing them.
Ah, but the ten men who appeared to be so much alike in the day of their distress, proved to be quite different on the day of their deliverance. Nine of them went their way, joyfully healed but forgetful of their benefactor.
They loved the gift - but forgot the Giver.
Only one of them returned to give thanks to Him who had healed them. While the nine received that for which they had prayed, and considered the transaction closed, this one recognized the need to express his gratitude.
This solitary Samaritan shows us that gratitude does not depend upon the state of one’s health, but upon the state of one’s heart. All ten men were healed, but only one was grateful.
All loved the gift. One loved the Giver.
This Samaritan also teaches us that gratitude does not depend upon what one has in hand, for all ten men received the same wonderful gift. In fact, even that first national Thanksgiving in Plimoth, 1621, was a day of extraordinary thanks for everyday blessings - for a frugal harvest amid manifold dangers and multiplied privations. Gratitude depends upon the heart of the one receiving the gift.
This Samaritan understood that he received that which he had not earned nor deserved. Likewise, beloved, let’s make the heart of our Lord glad by once again reaffirming our faith, and taking time to truly, humbly, and gratefully thank Him for His love, His goodness, His mercy, and His blessings, great and small.
Let's remember the Giver.
Dearest Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the joy of our everyday blessings. But today we want to express our humble thanks for the greatest blessing of all. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name, amen.
Have a truly blessed Thanksgiving!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
This passage in Luke is such a familiar one - perhaps too familiar? Perhaps we see its reflection in our hearts?
Of course, in Luke, these ten lepers had been driven from society and sought what little comfort they could find in the fellowship of one another. Having heard of the miraculous cures of Christ, they sought Him. They proved their faith by their obedience. Jesus justified their faith by healing them.
Ah, but the ten men who appeared to be so much alike in the day of their distress, proved to be quite different on the day of their deliverance. Nine of them went their way, joyfully healed but forgetful of their benefactor.
They loved the gift - but forgot the Giver.
Only one of them returned to give thanks to Him who had healed them. While the nine received that for which they had prayed, and considered the transaction closed, this one recognized the need to express his gratitude.
This solitary Samaritan shows us that gratitude does not depend upon the state of one’s health, but upon the state of one’s heart. All ten men were healed, but only one was grateful.
All loved the gift. One loved the Giver.
This Samaritan also teaches us that gratitude does not depend upon what one has in hand, for all ten men received the same wonderful gift. In fact, even that first national Thanksgiving in Plimoth, 1621, was a day of extraordinary thanks for everyday blessings - for a frugal harvest amid manifold dangers and multiplied privations. Gratitude depends upon the heart of the one receiving the gift.
This Samaritan understood that he received that which he had not earned nor deserved. Likewise, beloved, let’s make the heart of our Lord glad by once again reaffirming our faith, and taking time to truly, humbly, and gratefully thank Him for His love, His goodness, His mercy, and His blessings, great and small.
Let's remember the Giver.
Dearest Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the joy of our everyday blessings. But today we want to express our humble thanks for the greatest blessing of all. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name, amen.
Have a truly blessed Thanksgiving!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
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