Words of Jesus: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Luke 8:34-39   “When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”

 RSV

Is Jesus telling us to declare how much God has done for us?  It is easy for us to overlook, and forget how much God has done for us.  Is that because we are naturally ungrateful?  Maybe it is because God blesses all.  The writer of the New Testament book of James wrote: James 1:17  “Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”     RSV

In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus told us: Matthew 5:44-45  “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”  RSV

Let us reflect on all that God has done, and is doing, in our lives; and then be glad to do as Jesus instructed this man whom He healed: “…declare how much God has done for you.”

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You.  Thank You.  Thank You!  Amen.