But, Where are the Nine?

Luke 17 15-19, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, ¹⁶ and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.   ¹⁷ So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed?  But where are the nine? ¹⁸ Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (NKJV)

This passage of scripture continues to marinate in my heart and spirit! I continue to examine my response to the the blessings of God. Do I take the time to offer genuine praise, honor and worship to God or do I just offer a brief response of gratitude to God and then get back to living my life? Doesn't God deserve more than mere "lip service"? But is it possible that there is another question that we need to be asking ourselves? "Is it possible that God is looking for more than just "lip service"? The Word of God does reveal that Jesus did ask the one leper who returned about the other nine who did not return!! I wonder if God has ever looked for us or listened for our voice. 

I presented these following questions to the New River congregation on Sunday. I truly believe that God spoke these words in my heart and I believe that we need to review them in our hearts as we reflect on the blessings that God provides in our daily lives.

Did the nine lepers find more important things to do with their time since they had received this new freedom?

Did the nine lepers think that they would take the time some other day to thank Jesus?

Did the nine lepers take this encounter with God for granted? Could they have felt that they “earned” this blessing because of all that they had endured in their lives?

Did the nine lepers appreciate the gift more than they did the giver of the gift?

Were the nine lepers just content to enjoy their new life and the new freedoms/opportunities that they were experiencing? Were they so captured by the moment that the “attitude of forgetfulness” took control of their lives?

We must not allow the attitude of "forgetfulness or lack of genuine gratitude" gain a foothold in our lives!!