Deuteronomy 8:1-10; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Luke 17:11-19
We live in a day when college professors and students spurn Thanksgiving Day. They claim, wrongly, it commemorates a genocide of indigenous peoples, the Indians. We live in a day when many seek their comfort and daily bread by embracing the common sharing of economic goods, that system called Socialism. Why labor, toil and achieve if everyone gets the same goodies no matter what, the thinking goes.
Actually, the Pilgrims did try that experiment. Their original contract called for everything they produced to go into a common store. Each member of the community, then, would get a common share. Everything belonged to the community. That arrangement did not work out so well, especially after the first harsh winter and losing so many lives. So William Bradford assigned a plot of land for each family to own, work, and manage. As they realized God’s gifts of private property and possessions, the Pilgrims had plenty to support themselves, pay off their debts, and share with those in need. They even sold food and goods to the Indians, and thus the original thanksgiving dinner was born.
Thankfully, we continue to practice what George Washington proclaimed in 1789—a day “to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” Washington also called this “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God” (Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789).
Let’s do this not only in a national and cultural manner; let’s especially do this as God’s redeemed children. Let’s look to Luther’s Catechism for his “take” on Thanksgiving Day.
When you gather around the table today, do so reverently, fold your hands, and say: “The eyes of all look to You, [O Lord,] and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Ps. 145:15-16). All that food ultimately comes only from God. He has graciously arranged for you to purchase it from the stores, but it still comes only from Him.
Then you can pray the Lord’s Prayer, and follow that with this little prayer: “Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.” Everything you eat, everything you wear, everything you own, everything about you—your eyes, ears, hair color, body structure and sexuality—it’s all gift. “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7). On this day, we celebrate God our Father as the giver and rightly confess that we are nothing but receivers.
It’s what the Israelites learned through forty years in the wilderness. As they prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminded them how things really worked. The Lord had led them those forty years in the wilderness; not they themselves. The Lord humbled them, testing them to know what was in their heart, whether they would trust Him and follow His ways. He made them “know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Dt. 8:3). Their clothing did not wear out. Their feet did not swell. All because the Lord God took care of them.
The Lord God also gave them promises. He would bring them into the good land—brooks and springs of water flowing; wheat, barley, vines, and fig trees aplenty; also olive trees and honey. They would eat without scarcity; they would not want, because the Lord is their Shepherd. And when they would eat and be full, Moses called on them to “bless the LORD your God for the good land He has given you” (Dt. 8:10).
What was true for them, the children of Israel, is also true for you, God’s children by Jesus’ blood and Baptism. So when you finish the turkey and trimmings—and before you rush off to the couch for football and food comas—don’t forget to return thanks. Luther gives more guidance. Reverently and with folded hands say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever. [He] gives food to every creature. He provides food for the cattle and young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love” (Ps. 136:1, 25; 147:9-11).
And again you may pray the Lord’s Prayer and follow that up with this: “We thank you, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.” What could be better than topping off a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with a sweet confession of the Holy Trinity, with confessing that all of this bounty comes only through Jesus Christ Himself!
That’s what the one leper realized on the way to see the priests, upon realizing he had been healed. Ten lepers were healed; nine went on their merry way; but only one “turned back, praising God with a loud voice” (Lk. 17:15). That former leper—a Samaritan, by the way—fell on his knees and bowed before Jesus, “giving Him thanks.” It’s what you do when you realize the true source of your blessings, the real Giver of every good and perfect gift.
And while you’re at it, don’t stop at giving thanks for common food and drink. Even the cattle, young ravens, and all critters large and small receive their sustenance from a gracious Father and Creator. You actually receive more. You receive only the best from your God and Savior. After all, He “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Jesus, “true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary” in the little town of Bethlehem—that means “house of bread”—He is your very Bread of Life. He has redeemed you. He has won you from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil. No, not with turkey or stuffing, “but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.” Now you are His own. Now you live under Him in His kingdom. Now you serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness.
And this changes everything. This opens the flood-gates of thankfulness and praise. Now you know, confess and rejoice that Your God has given you your body and soul, your eyes, ears, and all your members, your reason and all your senses. He even takes care of them still. Yes, even with glasses, hearing aids, canes, and so on. Your clothing and shoes? Your food and drink? Your house and home? Your spouse, children and parents? All gifts…gifts from the Father…gifts made holy through Jesus and in the Spirit.
So go ahead, receive your day’s bread, turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and whatever else with thanksgiving. God certainly gives them and so much more to everyone without out prayers, even to all evil people. Thank Him for the money, the goods, for the devout husband or wife, the devout children, the devout workers, and even for devout and faithful rulers and good government—“that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:2). By the way, that’s the exact opposite of what you are tempted to do, and may even give in to doing, on social media these days. When you receive your daily bread with thanksgiving, that includes “kings and all who are in high positions.” When you do that, you are living as God’s dear children.
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble.” (Ps. 107:1-2). Amen.
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