Occasionally people are aware that there is more to Thanksgiving than stuffing a turkey and themselves at the dinner table.
In Sunday’s sermon at Black Rock-Long Ridge Congregational Church (North Stamford, Connecticut), Pastor Steve Treash’s text was 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."
With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, each of us should follow the example of the leper and be the one to give thanks, praising God.
Reflect upon our many blessings, instead of lamenting what we don’t have.
Express our thanks as did the Samaritan leper, not just silently, but in open praise of God.
Demonstrate our thanks by throwing ourselves at Jesus’s feet, as did the Samaritan leper.
The greatest demonstration of thanks to God is following the great commandments: love God and love others as we love ourselves.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
"Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
"Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
“Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
“He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
“Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
“The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
“Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:15-19)
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