Sometimes I wonder if God really means what he says. Like today. 1Thess. 5:18 “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Not always easy. We find a zit. We can’t get a parking spot, our kids embarrasses us, a friend says something that offends us. We lose a job. 9-11. Does God really mean to always be thankful?
Today we woke up to the news that our friends’ daughter died yesterday. She leaves two middle-school aged sons for them to raise. “Always be thankful!?” Are they supposed to feel thankful today? I have to say it, “God, what are you thinking!?” And then the verse goes on...”for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Wow. Today, this is tough, really tough.
I read the story from Luke 17:11-19. Ten lepers, ostracized from family, expelled from the community, ritually unclean. They can’t even worship God as required. So, the lepers huddle together, away from others so they won’t contaminate anyone. Then Jesus came to their village. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” they cried again and again. They were desperate. Are our friends desperate today? When someone has already died, what do you ask God for? “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
Jesus turned and looked at them. He sent them to the priest -- the one who could declare them ritually clean and restore them to society. And so they took the first step and the second and as they walked, they were healed.
Nine of the healed lepers continued on their way. One of the healed lepers returned to Jesus. “He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.”
And there lies the secret. He thanked him, yes. But it began with throwing himself at Jesus’ feet. Sometimes the our mouths are empty. There is not a thankful word we can think of. But we begin by throwing ourselves at Jesus’ feet. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
“Yes, today Jesus, have mercy on our friends. They need you to look at them and heal their wounded hearts. Help them to walk towards healing for themselves, for their grandsons. And keep them coming back to you, for as long as it takes, until the thanks can flow freely again.”
