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Thanksgiving is only a few days away. It's the one day a year when our minds (at least in this country) collectively reflect on being grateful and giving thanks. The story of the 10 lepers is...

Luke 17:17-18

Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"

 

Thanksgiving is only a few days away. It's the one day a year when our minds (at least in this country) collectively reflect on being grateful and giving thanks. The story of the 10 lepers is probably one of most popular in all of the Bible when it comes to illustrating the importance of thankfulness. Notice in the verses that the 9 lepers continued to be free of disease (presumably) even though they didn't come back to give thanks to their healer. But the one who returned got something more than physical healing. Jesus commends him for his gratefulness and says,"Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." He was offered spiritual healing too. In recognizing from whom our blessings flow and giving thanks to Him, we grow in grace and love. It orients our heart toward God and allows us to see Him clearer; as a father and savior rather than a cosmic Santa Claus. That's not to say He doesn't enjoy granting our prayers but most of all He desires our love, like any good father.