Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18, ESV)
Luke 17 tells the story of ten lepers and the encounter that changed their lives. To understand their plight, we need to understand the cruel effects of the disease. Leprosy was an infectious skin disease (or possibly a group of skin diseases). It was painful, disfiguring, and isolating. Those affected became outcasts of society because of their contagion.
INTERRUPTED LIVES
As Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem, He entered a certain village. The ten lepers stood at a distance from the crowd, but they raised their voices to call out to Jesus as He passed nearby. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” The Lord did indeed show them mercy that day. The ten men received their healing from the terrible disease that had sidetracked their lives.
“When he saw them he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:14, ESV)
Their healing happened as the men began their journey to present themselves to the priests as was required by Old Testament Law. But one man turned back. He felt compelled to return to Jesus and thank Him for this amazing miracle. Luke tells us that he “turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks” (verses 15-16). No one observing this could doubt the depth of his gratitude.
That is when Jesus questioned, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (The man who returned was a Samaritan, not a Jew.)
Nine men did not turn back. The Lord had given them a wonderful gift, a healing that would take away the stigma of their disease. Now they could return to their families and once more enjoy the fellowship of others. But they left without any words of thanks to the One who made it possible.
A BIT OF SELF REFLECTION
Before we become critical of the nine who did not return to thank the Lord, perhaps we should ask ourselves a simple question. Have we disappointed the Lord by forgetting to thank Him for His many blessings? Is it possible that in the busyness of daily life we have become as thoughtless as the nine lepers? Do we take God’s blessings for granted or feel entitled to them?
It is so easy for us to focus on what we do not have rather than showing our appreciation for the abundance we do enjoy. The words of II Timothy 3:1-5 serve as a caution and a reminder. Showing ingratitude is more than just a little oversight. It is sin.
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy . . . having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (verses 1, 2, 5)
A LIFE OF GRATITUDE
How do we live a life of gratitude? We can begin by recognizing and valuing the blessings God sends our way. Each evening before bedtime, write down at least three things from your day that are causes for gratitude.
- What happened that made your day brighter?
- What prayers did God answer for you today?
- What words of encouragement or compliments did you receive today?
Once you have written your list, if you have not already thanked the Lord for today’s blessings, do so then. Do not end your day without showing your gratitude.
“The more you recognize and express gratitude for the things you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for.”
– Zig Ziglar
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18, ESV)
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
