When I was a child, I remember the chore of writing thank-you letters after Christmas and birthdays. At the time, it felt like a duty. Now I know how good it is to receive gratitude when someone has been given a gift.
Today’s Bible reading is John 5:1–18. It tells of a man who had been unable to walk for thirty-eight years. He lay beside a healing pool but could never reach the water quickly enough. Then Jesus came to him, healed him with a word. The man picked up his mat and walked. But Jesus disappeared into the crowd.
When questioned, the man did not know who had healed him. Later, Jesus found him again and spoke to him about his life and sin. The man then told the authorities that it was Jesus who had healed him. The story shows that Jesus gives life where human effort has failed. By healing on the Sabbath, he also revealed his divine identity.
The man is also a mirror for us. At first, he did not understand who his benefactor was. When he realised, he told others. Yet something is missing. There is no sign that he said thank you. There is no sign that he followed Jesus afterwards.
It is easy to criticise him. But perhaps the better response is to look in the mirror. Do we express gratitude to the people around us? To those we work with. Worship with. Live with. Relax with. Earn our living beside. And what about our gratitude to God?
No doubt we say our thank-you prayers. But do we remember everything? It is hard to do. One way of living thanks is to be a disciple of Jesus. Many of you will already be faithful followers and hard workers in your life of faith. Others may wonder whether it is worth it.
If that is you, return to the man who was healed and did not say thank you. Ask yourself: do I want to seem like that?
Prayer
Generous God, you provide for us in so many ways. You come to us when we are in need, and you bring healing. We thank you and praise you for all that you have given.
We confess that we can be ungrateful. We miss details. We take kindness for granted. Forgive us. Give us grace to be thankful, and wholehearted in our response to you. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.