Read: Luke 17:11–19
Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Luke 17:17
On a road in Galilee Jesus was approached by ten lepers with their skin peeling off their bodies in the most disfiguring of ways. They were people we would likely cross to the other side of the street to avoid coming in contact with. But Jesus not only received them, He also healed them. After being healed, however, only one of the lepers returned to thank Jesus and to praise Him for what He had done. Jesus asked the man, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?”
We bow head, heart, and knee when we are in need, but do we remember God when we are brought through our difficulties? We would like to picture ourselves as the one faithful leper returning to thank Jesus, but more often than not, we find ourselves among the other nine. Why is that? Why do only one in ten people respond gratefully to the blessings of God in their lives?
What do you need to do to appropriately respond to God’s goodness in your life?
Lord, I think of me more than I think of You. I turn to You when I am in desperate need, but when all is well and good I turn away like a spoiled and ungrateful child. Help me to remember to return each week to give You thanks. In Your name, I pray. AMEN.