Christ Church Daily Devotion Nov 19 2023

In Luke chapter 17, Jesus encounters ten lepers, but only one returns to thank him. The fact that the grateful one was a Samaritan holds significance. As a child, the story stuck with the speaker, questioning why the others didn't express gratitude. However, as an adult, they realized that they too often fail to show gratitude. The choice to live with gratitude or take things for granted is an ongoing decision. The speaker encourages making changes to become more thankful and invites others to join in worship focused on gratitude. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for November 19th, 2023. Today we will be reading from Luke chapter 17, verses 11 through 18. 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? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner? It is one of the Bible stories I remember hearing and learning about as a child. One that really stuck with me. Ten lepers are healed, but only one of them comes back to offer gratitude? The significance of that one being a Samaritan would come much later for me. Why didn't those other nine guys come back to say thanks? When I became an adult, I still fell into the trap of asking that same question. I was using the Bible as a window, just looking in on those guys and questioning their lives. Then I learned to use the Bible as a mirror, realizing that what is included in its pages are for me, to see myself and to learn about myself. The better question is why do I fail to show gratitude all too often? One of the constant choices we have about living our life is whether we will live with gratitude or taking everything for granted. It is so easy to take so much of what we have for granted. Food, clothing, shelter, family and friends, health, life itself. No matter where you find yourself on that scale between granted and gratitude, you can choose to move further toward being more thankful. Pray and make some specific changes that will show you have made that move. Today's personal worship option. Join us for worship this morning as we focus on being thankful to God and each other. I hope to see you at either 930 or 1115.