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Desperate, despairing and dying, they found a common voice. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Until you recall what and where you were, then compare it to what and where you now find yourself, you may find “thanksgiving” a forced activity.

It was a most intriguing band of brothers. In normal life, there would have been absolutely nothing that would draw them together. Common ground simply would not have existed. Social barriers. Economic distinctiveness. Variances in religious rituals. Age and life stage diversities. There were virtually no points of connection for this unusual fraternity with its ten members. Nothing in common except…

• They were isolated from their communities.
• They were furloughed from their jobs.
• They were distanced from their even their families.
• They were the ultimate portraits of the “outcast.”
• They were 10 men bearing the mark of God’s curse on their life.
• They were lepers!

Having nowhere to turn and no hope for things improving, they had somehow been drawn together by one simple common denominator. They were courtside observers to their own horrible process of dying. Desperate, despairing and dying, they found one common voice. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Hearing their helpless pleas and being stirred with compassion for their desperate condition, Jesus commands an action of faith. As they go their way, they were cleansed. Suddenly what they were and where they were was changed. Community engagement became a real possibility once again. Gainful employment could be restored. Families would joyously embrace the once dying as they lived once again. Worship rituals could once more put a soothing salve on their sin-infected souls. All at once, the only thing that was binding them together had been removed. They immediately forgot that they were once desperate, despairing and dying.

All forgot, that is, but one. “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.” All were certainly delighted. All were filled with joy. All were excited to have their lives back again, but only the one was truly thankful.

You see, until you recall what and where you were then compare it to what and where you now find yourself, you may find “thanksgiving” a forced activity. Only the one who recalls that he was desperate, despairing and dying will truly stop long enough to bow before the Giver of Grace to genuinely give Him thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving, Church!

Pastor Tom