BE THANKFUL
By Pastor Lem Niere
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17, 18).
With Thanksgiving Day coming, this will not only be a great family time—but also time to reflect on the benevolent goodness of God in our lives. This year many of us faced challenges and hurdles, difficulties and trials. But as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 admonish us, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Notice that we are to give thanks in everything, but not for everything!
Surely, we cannot thank God for the debilitating disease or illness, or disaster that may have come to our loved ones! But we are admonished that inspite of negative events in life, we should be thankful. Thankfulness carries an antidote to our ills. It inspires us to trust in the leadings of God, for one thing.
The story recorded in Luke 17 has a lot to teach us about not taking for granted the expression of thankfulness. It was a good question Jesus asked when He said, “Where are the other nine?” Now really, why didn’t the nine cured lepers come back? Exploring the answer to that question may give us insight and teach us important truth. So let me venture nine reasons why those ex-lepers did not come back to personally express their gratitude to the Savior who healed them:
—One was in a hurry to see his family.
—One thought seeing the priest was good enough.
—One had to attend to an important business immediately now that he’s cured.
—One reasoned that Jesus will be gone by the time he returned.
—One told his companions to thank Jesus for him.
—One assumed Jesus knew how grateful he was.
—One had more reasons to complain than to give thanks.
—One never took the initiative and just followed the rest.
—One got so excited about the healing he forgot the Healer.
Perhaps you might think of other reasons why the nine never came back to thank Jesus. For many people, being thankful is far down their list of priorities. I hope this is not true with you.
