A Biblical reminder to return and give thanks
Thanksgiving: the act of giving thanks. Simple to comprehend. Simple to do. Not always so easy to remember.
The Sunday before Thanksgiving I filled in for my sister-in-law as the children’s Sunday School teacher. She offered to have a lesson prepared for me but in the spirit of gratitude for all she does, I figured she could use a real break.
In preparing a lesson fitting to Thanksgiving (giving thanks) to God, all that came to mind were Psalms and single verses. I knew there was a story that would “stick” but my mind wasn’t coming up with any. Pinterest served me well by serving up this website recommending several options, one being the story from Luke of the ten healed lepers.
Perfect.
This is a lesson for us all. Written for you to take in and take back to your family, your children, your Sunday School class for discussion.
“Ten Men Healed” Luke 17: 11-19
11 While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed.
15 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. 16 He fell facedown at his feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan.
17 Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?18 Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?”19 And he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”
This scripture is enough, you can stop there. If you’d like to hear how the Sunday school kids and I discussed this story coming up on the Thanksgiving holiday, read on.
Ten Healed One Gave Thanks
Ten men called out for mercy… for healing. All ten were healed. One came back and “fell face-down” at Jesus’ feet thanking him. Just one of the ten.
Reading this scripture, the image comes to mind, of the other nine men getting what they wanted (what they needed) then skipping off happily without a second thought.
Likely, the men were happy to be healed. Though we don’t know, the descriptions of leprosy leave me thinking it would be impossible to overlook how wonderful being healed would be. But there’s a difference in walking away happy and returning to express sincere thanks to the ONE they asked to heal them.
Three lessons:
Prayer, more than a “wish list.”
In my house, when we ask, “who wants to lead the evening prayer?”…one of my girl’s hands goes up immediately 90% of the time. She prays for everything from our cows to her baby brother. If you’re paying attention, you’ll hear a “thank you for” list and a list of “asks.”
It’s easy to remember to ask for what we need, what we want and what we hope for, especially when we fully grasp that God is our creator. He is in the driver’s seat. So, it only makes sense to acknowledge that in prayer by asking him to take us where we want to go. Even though he already knows all of our hopes and needs, I do believe God desires our open acknowledgement of his power in our lives.
But, do we equally use prayer as a form of praise by giving thanks? Prayer is a time to say thank you for every blessing, including the many things we haven’t even asked for, yet we enjoy.
Notice, then Give Thanks When Prayers are Answered
After prayers are answered, do we notice? Sometimes when we’re sitting in the midst of blessings we once prayed for we forget the prayer that preceded the blessing. Maybe this is because it wasn’t a “big” prayer or maybe it’s because we asked long ago and much time has passed. Either way the first step is noticing our answered prayers.
When we pray for the really “big things” it’s usually hard to miss the blessing. When it feels “big” we notice. After we notice, we need to return to give thanks, failing to do so leaves us overlooking the one who blessed us.
Keep faith
In the last part of the scripture above, Jesus says “your faith has saved you.” Dual meaning can be found here. Faith will save our souls and faith is required when we “ask”… faith that God can. The dual meanings then also meld back as one.
This statement, “your faith has saved you” is made throughout the gospels and lately has been jumping off the page at me. Sometimes Biblical statements that need no major deciphering are easy to overlook but sometimes the simplicity makes them stand out even more (something we could each remember as we talk to others).
Keeping real fresh faith may be easier said than done and it would be wise for us to keep the simple necessity of faith front of mind.
Give thanks To Whom, For What?
We should be giving thanks TO GOD always, FOR EVERYTHING.
Big or small… we should thank God for it all. (cheesy but easy to remember)
“Praise God from Whom all blessing flow,” so goes the doxology following our church offering. For the last few years this line has stood out to me in a big way. Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow. Every good thing is from God and we should give praise to whom praise is due.
I have personally had a few big blessings come straight out of hardship, for that I praise God as well.
Be the One
The one Samaritan man who had faith and returned falling face-down to give thanks, that’s how I’d like to be. This requires noticing our blessings, a faith and understanding of where those blessings come from, and then expressing gratitude for it all through prayer and praise.
We can’t do this overwhelmed by the busyness society has created around the holiday itself. We must slow down and give ourselves time to really soak in the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Kids Get It
This scripture was read and discussed with 6 to 9 year old kids. As I pulled out main parts from the verses for discussion, the kids articulated the points. Children surprise us with their comprehension when we allow for conversation. Again, a lesson of thankfulness for us all.
