Thanksgiving Day

Reflections

November 28, 2024

Today's Reading: Luke 17:11-19

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 2:1-22; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; 1 Peter 1:13-25

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17:15-16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

This reading comes up for Thanksgiving services every single year. There have been numerous sermons preached on this text, and while I haven’t listened to all of them, I can imagine that many of you have heard a similar sermon that can be summarized like this: “Be more thankful…,” or something along those lines. For some reason, it seems the preaching of giving thanks has transformed into a demand of the law. But if thanksgiving is demanded, then is it truly thankful? Recognize that the men who didn’t give thanks were still healed. What is going on here? Why did the one leper turn back?

Imagine you were in that situation. You had an incurable disease that would make you unclean, and because you are unclean, you would be isolated from your community. You would not be allowed to enter the temple where sin was forgiven. Then, you meet a man named Jesus, and in an instant, as you are on your way, you are healed. You are restored! You are free from the oppression of this affliction! What would your response be?

The one leper returns, and what he does is beautiful. He falls to his knees before Jesus, he takes a posture of worship. This is what Thanksgiving is for the Christian. It is yet another opportunity to sit in the presence of God and His abundant mercies. Notice what Jesus gives to the man who returns in worship; He continues to give him more. “Your faith has saved you,” He says. In worship and thanksgiving, Jesus continues to give his Gifts to us. So, would you return? Would you give thanks? Who wouldn’t take another opportunity to be in the presence of Jesus? Giving thanks is yet another opportunity to receive from Christ, who is good and merciful.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, God of all grace, govern our hearts that we may never forget your blessings but steadfastly thank and praise You for all Your goodness in this life until, with all Your saints, we praise You eternal in Your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

-Rev. Caleb Weight, associate pastor of Peace In Christ Lutheran Church in Hermantown, MN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word throughout the Church Year with the Enduring Grace Journal. Includes scripture readings, prayers, prompts, and space for journaling. The Church Year Journal, Enduring Grace, now available from Concordia Publishing House.