52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
The disciple’s actions remind me of David’s words and doings in Psalm 34:
1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. Psalms 34:1 (NIV)
Demonstrating the proper attitude towards our Savior, we find the original followers of Jesus in our verses for today setting forth for us a wonderful example of worshipping and praising Him with great joy. Praise is prevalent among God’s people throughout all of Scripture. To be sure, in the New Testament whenever a person’s eyes are opened through an encounter with the love of Jesus, adoration and joy flowed through their life. I am reminded of Mary who poured perfume on His feet, washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair:
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:44-47 (NIV)
“Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.” Charles Jefferson
“Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.” John Henry Jowett
This woman was not forgiven because of her love rather she loved because she was forgiven – her faith being the basis for the demonstration of her abundant love – her loving was not the cause rather the effect of her forgiveness. Overwhelmed with gratitude for all Jesus had done for her, she demonstrates to Him this manifestation of her love.
“All these expressions of sorrow for sin, and love for Christ, were the effects and products of faith. As faith of all graces does most honour God, so Christ does of all graces most honour faith.” Matthew Henry
Christ loves to speak pardon and peace to the repentant of heart. Like this woman, a true realization of what Christ has done for us should always bring forth our worship, praise and gratitude. As the birds sings forth their praises to their Creator as the morning dawns how much more so should we?
“You awaken us to delight in Your praise.” Augustine
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 1 Chron 16:23-25 (NIV)
1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Psalms 33:1 (NIV)
The writer of Hebrews also tells us:
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Heb 13:15-16 (NIV)
“Be not afraid of saying too much in the praises of God; all the danger is of saying too little.” Matthew Henry
"Hot gratitude melts our hard pride. It is the means of remaining in Christ. This thanksgiving for who He is mingles with daily thanks for all good gifts, from breath in our lungs to asparagus in the springtime. Relishing who God is and all He's given is the secret of remaining connected to Him- and also of sucking the marrow from every ordinary day... I would be remiss if I did not tell the stories I've been given, woven with Scripture, of how God can refresh real people through the gracious gift of radical gratitude." Ellen Vaughn, Radical Gratitude
“God delights in His covenant and so we are sure He will not turn back from it. It is the joy of His holy heart. He delights to do His people good. To pass over transgression, iniquity, and sin is the recreation of Jehovah. Did you ever hear God singing? It is extraordinary that the Divine One would solace Himself with song, yet a prophet has thus reveal the Lord to us: ‘The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.’ (Zephaniah 3:17). The covenant is the heart of God written out in the blood of Jesus.” Charles Spurgeon, Grace, God’s Unmerited Favor