The giving of thanks to God is a theme found in many passages of Scripture, and giving thanks for the blessings of the autumn harvest has existed in many nations. Americans may focus on Anglicans giving thanks in Virginia or Congregationalists giving thanks in Massachusetts, but other Protestants also had various local harvest festivals. So besides being rooted in ancient biblical customs, a day of Thanksgiving is also an aspect of the Reformation heritage.
The Gospel reading assigned for Thanksgiving Day is from John 6: 25-35. It refers to divine providence in supplying natural food, but then it looks beyond physical to spiritual nourishment. Our Lord concludes with this statement in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (ESV). So while we appreciate and give thanks to God for food and other material gifts, let us also look beyond those physical blessings to the spiritual blessings that we receive through Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for all His gifts, material and spiritual!
No comments:
Post a Comment