Daily Dose of the Word of God - Luke 17: 17-19

Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor

Transcript

Gregg DeMey 0:06  

Good morning and welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. This is Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor at the church. It's Thursday, May 1st and Sunday is coming. It's the season of Eastertide and we have the opportunity to respond to the reality of Jesus resurrection life. Today's Bible reading is from the Gospel of Luke chapter 17, verses 17 to 19.

Gregg DeMey 0:31  

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Gregg DeMey 0:47  

This week, we have witnessed a scene on the road to Jerusalem between Samaria and Galilee, in which Jesus healed 10 men with leprosy. They cried out for mercy, Jesus healed them, directed them to show themselves to the priests in Jerusalem in obedience to the law of Moses, and then one comes back. Jesus, (I think with some humor in his voice), asked today's question: "has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" Rather than belittling this man for his national or racial identity, I think Jesus is highlighting the response of thanksgiving. It doesn't matter where you're from - it matters how you connect with God and respond to him. In fact, without Thanksgiving, the work of God is somewhat incomplete. You can think of an electrical circuit - God's work (Jesus healing, in this case), starts the flow of electricity, but our response of Thanksgiving completes the circuit and turns the spiritual juice on.

Gregg DeMey 1:54  

This week's phrase in Sunday morning worship in response to Jesus' resurrection is, "Thank you." Our faith in giving thanks completes the circuit. Perhaps there are a few things that you can bring to mind as Thanksgiving with which to start this day.

Gregg DeMey 2:15  

Let's pray. Dear God, we thank you for this new day. For the rising sun, for your mercies, which are new every morning. We thank you for springtime, for green and growing things and budding flowers and trees. We thank you for the season rooted in Jesus resurrection from the grave and his triumph over sin and death. We're thankful for the eternal healing and hope that flows from his sacrificial wounds to wash away our guilt and give us today a day of freedom to live for you. We want to do it for Jesus sake, amen.