Happy, Exuberant Thanksgiving!

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

Joyful Jump

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks” (Luke 17:15-16a, NKJV).

Happy Thanksgiving! As we gather with our families today to give thanks for all of Daddy God’s goodness to us, this story comes to mind. What jumps out to me, as I’m meditating on it, is how boisterous this man is with the voicing of his gratitude. He is not holding back! Let’s take a closer look:

  • He went out of his way to express his thanksgiving. While his nine companions were rushing back to their pre-leprous lives to enjoy the benefits of God’s goodness, this man was rushing to Jesus’ feet. In his profound gratitude, he made the extra trip to connect with the One who had just saved him from a living torment.
  • He got loud about expressing his thanksgiving. There was no self-conscious, timid communication in a hushed voice going on here. This ex-leper was letting the four winds know how grateful he was to Jesus.
  • He used his whole body to express his thanksgiving. He went all the way down on his face. After years of sickness had eaten away at his body and his soul, he was finally, utterly, gloriously, free. With his entire being, he poured out his gratitude to his Healer.

Clearly, this man’s wholehearted articulation of gratefulness impacted Jesus. The Savior responded to him with these loving words: “Your faith has made you whole” (v. 19b, Bibliotheca).

Up until this point in the story, the word “whole” had not been used. Luke tells us that the ten lepers were cleansed. He tells us that they were healed. But only here, only with this one grateful man, does he tell us that he had become completely whole.

Jesus has cleansed us. He has healed us. But it’s only as we exuberantly pour out our love to Him in return, our wholehearted thanks and adoration for His goodness to us, that we move into complete wholeness.

Has Jesus done mind-blowing things for you? Has He cleansed you? Has He healed you? Has He set you free? Has He restored you? Has He transformed you? Does His unfailing love give you hope and purpose and a reason to be alive? This Thanksgiving, let’s get exuberant about the expression of our gratitude to Him. Let’s fall at His feet and adore Him. The One who gave it all for us deserves our passionate worship. Let’s hold nothing back!

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Can you identify with this ex-leper? Has Jesus rescued you from living torment?

 

16 thoughts on “Happy, Exuberant Thanksgiving!”

  1. Yes! Jennifer, you inspire me everyday! 💖
    When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2019, I asked God why. Then after it sank in, I told him I will not let the enemy win, and if one person can be saved from the depths of hell by my testimony then it is worth having the cancer.
    This was a hard thing to say, but as a christian I trusted Him. (I tried to see the cup half full as I was a Grade III triple negative patient. Jesus has blessed me and after chemo, surgery(lumpectomy and not a mastectomy-after receiving a second opinion ), and radiation I have been cancer free for a year now! Thank you, Thank you Jesus💕 Happy Thanksgiving everyone!🤗🙏💖

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    1. Jeremy Monacy is my 17 yr old grandson and my name is MargaretRose. The info appears under his name because for some unforeseen reason when my son downloaded some music for him many years ago on my phone he put his name in the apple account instead of mine and my phone registers under him for some reason now. Hmmmm. Lol

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    2. Awww my sister, you just blessed me SO much with this!! I am rejoicing with you with all my heart for God’s faithfulness to you and through you!! Father, we give You all the glory! I’m SO proud of you for standing strong in your faith through such an intense trial. I know the Lord is even more proud, infiinitely so!

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  4. I recently heard someone speaking about this same passage and he said something like, “Don’t let the miracle take your focus off of the Miracle Worker.” He said that so many times we get that answer to our prayer and just take off and enjoy it. I believe I’m bad about that. 😢 I loved learning from your devo that this was the first time that “whole” was used. It shows a maturity when the miracles draw us to Jesus. ♥️

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    1. Beautifully explained and expressed, Lindsey! I love it that Holy Spirit emphasized what He wanted to show you by bringing you the story twice! That always brings me such joy when He does that 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!

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  6. Jesus has cleansed us. He has healed us. But it’s only as we exuberantly pour out our love to Him in return, our wholehearted thanks and adoration for His goodness to us, that we move into complete wholeness.” How true this revelation is. Thank you so much!

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