The Other Nine
Scripture Reading — Luke 17:11-19
Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" Luke 17:17
Let's suppose that, years later, Luke was able to ask these nine lepers, "Are you thankful for what Jesus did for you?"
Knowing how people can be, we can guess that at least one of them might have responded, "Thankful for what? Do you think getting over leprosy solved all my problems and made life easy for me? When I got back to town, I found out that my wife had divorced me and married my former business partner. The two of them emptied my bank account and took over the ownership of all my assets. I did meet this cute young woman, and I got her to marry me. But what a nagging wife she turned out to be! My children from both marriages have been nothing but trouble. I've had no success at all in my new business. In fact, I have to be in court next week to face a lawsuit for some bills I haven't been able to pay. And my health isn't so great. My arthritis is so painful that it keeps me awake at night, and the doctor bills and medications are terribly expensive. So if Jesus thinks I owe him a big ?thank you'--well, you can just tell him that he'd better come back and help me with the rest of my problems."
For one reason or another, nine of the ten healed lepers did not thank Jesus for healing them. Have you thanked Jesus lately for what he has done for you?
Lord, you have saved us from a fate far worse than leprosy. Help us gratefully to give all praise to you. May we bring all the issues of life under your lordship and care. Amen.
About the author — Fred Bultman
Fred Bultman began a “second career” as a pastor in 1997, after a first career in the banking business. He served as pastor to congregations in the U.S. and Canada. In retirement, he continues to enjoy sharing in the ministry of the churches in and around his home in Fremont, Michigan.
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