Article November 22, 1952 Issue

THANKSGIVING

WILFRED S. THORPE

In studying the life of Jesus, one may find himself feeling sorry for the Master because of his seeming difficulties. However, to feel any sense of pity for him is to misunderstand both his life purpose and his teaching. He himself on occasion expressed thankfulness in the face of difficulties. How could he who lifted humanity's burdens by healing the sick, restoring the crippled to normal activity, opening the eyes of the blind, and even raising the dead, be other than happy?

Not only did Jesus express joy and thankfulness for himself, but he desired his followers to express these qualities. It will be recalled that when he sent the twelve disciples out on their ministry of healing and teaching he instructed them in this way: "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 10:7). Is it not as though the great Teacher had said: "Remember always that you have much for which to be grateful because 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' It is not far off, as many think, but with you every instant, as you go from place to place." Perhaps their great Teacher so inspired them that they sang hymns of praise as they tramped the dusty roads or cut across the fields.

Paul is another outstanding example of one who was ever thankful. He had to be let down from the walls of Damascus in order to escape the Jews who waited to kill him; he was stoned, beaten; he was shipwrecked on the shores of Melita and later was under a soldier's guard for two years. In spite of all these harrowing experiences Paul wrote (I Thess. 5:18), "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." We may wonder why Paul gave thanks and instructed others to do so also. It was because he knew that trials are but passing things in comparison with the great joy experienced in being able to demonstrate God's power. But he too knew that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." How could he help being joyful? And, being joyful, how could he help being successful?

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