“Oh no! not leftovers again!” complained an older sister when she saw the leftover thanksgiving turkey from Thursday’s meal for a whole week. “Young lady,” responded the father sternly, “Do you know how many people would love to have a delicious supper like this? You should be ashamed of yourself. Now before we start eating, I want to hear you say grace, thanking the Lord for this delicious meal!” The older sister muttered back, “Thank you, Lord for this delicious supper…again!”
I need ten people to answer one question: If there is one thing you could come back for Thanksgiving leftovers, for seconds, and seconds, and seconds, what would it be? Fill in the blank: I would come back for ___________________ .
What you come back for is not nearly as important as how you come back. At my grandmother’s house at Thanksgiving, “how” mattered. You could get anything your heart desired if you came back the right way. How you come to the table determined what you got at Alma Johnson’s table. And so, it is at the God’s table of grace. He’d like you to come to the table with faith, seasoned just right with two things. How should you come to God this thanksgiving and every day? In Luke 17:11-19, one out of ten persons understood how to come to God. We will learn from one out of ten what I learned from Alma Johnson table that if you’re going to approach God’s table of grace, a little “please” and a little “thank you” can go a long way to getting favor at the table.
Key Scripture: Luke 17:11-19 11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him-and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?8 Was no one found to turn back and give praise to God except this foreigner?19 Then he said to the man, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
First, say please. If you want to come back right, you need to consider your condition. Look at verses 11-13. The request of the ten lepers after considering their condition was to ask for mercy from the Master and they were cleaned (katharizo).
13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
Jesus was headed to Jerusalem (North and South), but his path was not without the necessary detour (East and West) (v. 11).
REFLECTION: Whatever road you are on, God is still reachable. The lepers stood at a distance from Jesus (v.12). Sin separates us from God, but doesn’t sever our relationship with God. They cried out to Jesus acknowledging him as Master (v.13).
APPLICATION: Pray to God in your condition for mercy—not getting what you do deserve. Come with some, “Please.”—an attitude of humility.
Second, say “thank you.” Be thankful for God’s greatest work that requires faith for your greatest need--salvation Look at verses 14-19.
Only one Samaritan leper outcast returned with thanksgiving, praising Jesus. It showed his gratitude, giving God glory. The Samaritan recognized that the proper object of worship is the person Jesus, not the miracle.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him-- and he was Samaritan. 18 "Was no one found who turned back to give glory to God, except this foreigner?"
REFLECTION: What has been your greatest need in your life that you are thankful for God’s mercy, meeting your need, both physical or spiritual?
19And He said to him, "Rise, and go your way; your faith has made you well."
The phrase “has made you well” is translated with the Greek word “sozo.” It literally means “to save.” The inference is the most critical condition of the leper wasn’t a skin condition, but a sin condition. It requires belief beyond yourself.
APPLICATION: Be truly thankful more than the last Thursday in November. Give God the glory for His essential work of your eternal self that only God could do—salvation of the soul. Thanksgiving deserves a regular and intentional return to the Communion Table as often as you can. Please and thank you would be nice.
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