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 Where Are The Nine?

                                                                           by Pastor Mark Taylor

                                                                                   July 9, 2021

And Jesus answering said, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, except this stranger. And He said unto him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole” (Luke 17:17-19).

Leprosy (today known as Hansen’s disease) is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the nerves and skin of the arms and legs, and can cause blindness, muscle weakness, and kidney failure.  It is the oldest known disease from about 600 B.C.  Naaman, a Syrian Commander of the army, in 2 Kings 5 was the only person healed of this disease in the Old Testament (Luke 4:27).  The Bible says “He was a mighty man of valor, but a leper.”  The next recorded healing of this disease was done by our Lord Jesus in Luke 17:11-19.  Both of these were miraculous and immediate.

The leprosy was a disease which the Jews supposed to be inflicted for the punishment of some particular sin, and to be, more than other diseases, a mark of God’s displeasure; and therefore Christ, who came to take away sin, and turn away wrath, took particular care to cleanse the lepers that asked for mercy.

 

The spiritual lesson in this sermon is that when the blessings come, don’t forget to be thankful to our Lord Jesus.  “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Your name, O most High” (Psalms 92:1).

Notice, there were ten lepers who came to Jesus to be healed, but only one returned to thank Him. The others took their healing and went on their way.  Our Lord asked: “Were there not ten cleansed?”  People often ask God for help, but fail to be thankful.  

Of the many who receive mercy from God today, there are very few that return to give Him thanks.  Ingratitude is often included in lists of sins.  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,…” 2 Timothy 3:1-2.   Ingratitude partially caused cost the children of Israel 40 years in the wilderness, and resulted in the rich young ruler rejecting eternal life.  

The “One Thankful Person”, took the time to return to Jesus to thank Him.  He started out standing “afar off”, but now he was on “his face at His feet, giving Him thanks”.  He started out asking for mercy, and now he “glorified God with a loud voice”.  Those who have received mercy from God should publish it it others.  Their praise to God will encourage others and lead them to trust Christ.   Jesus took notice of the grateful return of the “One”.  He also took notice of the ingratitude of those that were sharers of the mercy that did not return to give thanks.  In coming back to give thanks, he gave glory to God and recognized our Lord Jesus as God.  It is never too late to come back and be thankful.

 “Where are the nine?”     Will you be the one thankful person?

How can we give thanks for what He has done for us?  Actions speak louder than words.  Luke 7: 37-50   “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”  Luke 7:47

How can you be thankful?

“By Him, then, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.”  Philippians 4:6

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  John 14:15

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all thine iniquities; who heals all thy diseases; Who redeems  thy life from destruction; who crowns thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.  Who satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”  Psalms 103:  2-6

“He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.”  Psalms 111:4

Will you be the one thankful person to our Lord Jesus today?