"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:15-19)
Today, the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated in the United States. Families will be gathered around the dinner table to share a meal with the traditional fare that includes turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Marking this annual celebration is watching parades and football. Some folks and families do attempt at a meaningful celebration by recounting the many reasons why they should be thankful. These reasons vary according to social class - with those doing well economically being thankful for things which the less fortunate or indigent will find grandiose. While those belonging to the middle and lower classes will be thankful for things in life which will appear so simple and inane in the minds of the rich.
If there is one reason for thanksgiving that everyone of every economic, social, ethnic and cultural background should share, I believe it is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of the love of God that sent His Son to the cross to die for the one malady common to all of mankind - sin. The cross is the one single reality with the greatest positive impact and lasting benefit for the world. Sadly, not everyone will experience the salvation of God found in the Gospel. Only those who trust the Lord Jesus Christ unto repentance and forgiveness of sins will deeply appreciate what God has done. There are Christians however, who forget to thank God or fail to consider the Gospel as the greatest reason to be thankful. In Luke 17, we read the story of ten lepers who were healed by Jesus but only one, who ironically was a Samaritan, returned to give thanks. The same ingratitude characterizes people who were healed by Jesus of a sickness worse than leprosy, the scourge of sin.
What are you thankful for today? Nothing in this world should take precedence over God and His love for you which He consummated at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. God loves you. Jesus died for you. Now, in holy repentance receive His gift of eternal life, trust Him and commit your life to Him. If you have already done so, offer to Him your greatest thanksgiving!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Ramon
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