WHERE ARE THE NINE?

Text: Luke 17:11-19
“And one of them, when He saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God. So, Jesus answered and said, were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” Luke 17:15, 17.

Ten lepers were healed of their disease by Jesus in our text, but only one of them counted it worthwhile to come back to express his gratitude to Jesus!

POSSIBLE REASONS WHY THE NINE DID NOT COME BACK

1. “GOD’S HAND, NOT GOD HIMSELF”: Many people come to God because of their needs, and not because they desire to know God himself. These nine lepers probably just wanted God’s intervention (“hand”) in their situation, and not God Himself.
2. “HAPPENSTANCE, NOT DIVINE”: They possibly also concluded that their healing was merely a co-incidence, and not divine, since Jesus neither laid hands, nor prayed for them!
3. ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY: “Since they were Jews (God’s people), receiving divine healing was really their right anyway, and not a privilege!”
4. LET’S QUICKLY RECOVER LOST GROUNDS”: While a leper, they must have lost a lot of grounds which now needed urgent attention.
5. SOCIALS BEFORE GOD: They were probably busy checking on family, friends, and old time acquaintances before God.
6. “WAITING FOR THE BIG BRAK”: They could also be thinking that the best was yet to come, and when that comes, they would give thanks.

Do not be like the nine, but rather emulate the one who was grateful to God, for when you are thankful, your tank will be full of God’s blessings. Appreciate every benefit and gift you get from God, for you are an all-round winner, because on earth, you are a victor, and in heaven, you will be triumphant!