Where Are the Nine?
A Hideous Disease, v. 11
A. Jews Avoided Lepers
B. Jews Avoided Samaria
C. Jews Avoided Samaritans
A Profound Miracle, vv. 12-13
A. Plea for Healing
B. Command to go to the Priest
C. As they went, they were healed–not before.
D. The Curse of Passive Religion
- They were healed in the act of faith by going.
- Trusting God does not equal doing nothing.
A Shocking Revelation, vv. 13-16
A. A Picture of the Abundant Grace of God–>healing
B. A Picture of Ingratitude
C. A Picture of Unexpected Gratitude–>from the Samaritan!
A Penetrating Question, vv. 17-19
A. Jesus Asked Three Questions
- Were there not ten healed? Yes.
- Where are the other nine? Gone.
- Is there no one here but this foreigner? No.
B. The Lepers Appeared the Same
- All had leprosy.
- All appealed to Jesus.
- All obeyed His word.
- All were healed.
C. But One Was Different
- One returned. Nine went on.
- One was grateful. Nine were not.
- One found forgiveness. Nine did not.
- One got two miracles. Nine got one.
A Wonderful Lesson
When we are grateful, a miracle takes place.
What was Duty is now Privilege.
What was Law is now Grace.
What was Demanded is now Volunteered.
What was Forced is now Free.
What was Drudgery is now Joy.
What was Taken for Granted is now Offered Up in Praise to God.
When it finally breaks through to us, then we come running gladly!
Ten men were healed that day, but only one came back to give thanks. Are you living with the nine or with the one? Far too many of us take our blessings for granted and groan about duties.
Praise and gratitude are choices. The one who returned to give thanks chose not to forget what Jesus had done for him. The secret of a thankful heart is a conscious choice not to forget what God has done for you.