I found an old email that listed “Things To Be Thankful For…”

…the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

…the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

…a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

…all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.

…my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.

…the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.

…the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.

It is good for us to have a focus on giving thanks. We all have so much for which to be thankful. There is a story about Jesus that drives this point home for us.

Luke 17:11-19 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan.  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?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

After hearing this story, most people focus on the problem with the nine who did not give the proper response of gratitude to God for the healing He gave them. But let us not forget the one who did the right thing: One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. That’s a great thing to do. If you were to put yourself in this story, that is where you belong, at the feet of Jesus. You should be the one who returns to give thanks.

Giving thanks is good not because it calls attention to the one who gives thanks. Giving thanks is good because it focuses on the One who deserves thanking. The real point of this account is not that one returned, but that ten were cleansed. They all had reason to give thanks.

Another way to consider this is “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” That, above and beyond everything else, is your reason to give thanks. You have been healed of something far worse than leprosy! It is because Jesus died for you that you are able to live. It is because you believe that Jesus died for you that you will live, not only now, but forever. God has provided the healing needed for all people through the death of Jesus. He has paid for the sins of all people. You and I are blessed to be among those whom the Spirit has led to faith. We know what God has done and through faith claim it as our own. We give thanks to God for his goodness.

My desk in my office at church always had a candy jar on it. Visitors were welcome to help themselves. If people brought their children into my office, I would always offer them a piece of candy. When I did so, mom or dad would usually prompt their kids by asking “What do you say to Pastor?”, after which I heard the reply, “Thank you!” By that act of giving thanks they were learning to be grateful, that they had something to be grateful for. It is something we all need to learn. You ought to be grateful for things you have received. Especially Jesus.

Ten lepers were cleansed, and one of them returned to give thanks. That is a good thing to do.