WHERE ARE THE NINE
WHERE ARE THE NINE?
Were there not ten (lepers) cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? Luke 17:17,18 NKJV
Gratitude is the pathway to greater power and blessings of faith. Conversely, the biggest roadblock to great faith is the sinful, selfish feeling of entitlement: ingratitude.
This story of Jesus healing the ten lepers proves the point. In fact, blessing and authority without humaneness is dangerous. Blessing with humility and gratitude leads to wholeness and abundance.
When Jesus was traveling up to Jerusalem, He passed through Samaria. Ten lepers encountered him and begged for healing. These outcasts had had their lives and health devastated by this horrible disease. Jesus directed them to go to the priest to show themselves cleansed. As they obeyed and went, they were healed. One of them, a Samaritan, returned to Jesus. He fell down before Him in worship and thanksgiving. Jesus asked aloud: “Didn‘t I heal ten lepers? Didn’t any of them return to say thank you except this Samaritan? Where are the other nine?”
Then Jesus encouraged the grateful, cleansed worshipper, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you whole. “The word here, whole, implies salvation, healing, and wholeness. It could even imply restoration of the now leprosy free body.
I was privileged to grow up in a very generous church and home. I witnessed both ingratitude and thankfulness in various people and situations. Thankful people would continue to grow in blessing and faith. The others, the ungrateful, continued to lurch from one sad disaster to the next. We even had a name for them, muttered under our breath: The Club Nine crowd. They were recipients of merciful help, but they were never thankful.
A sure way to grow graciously in character and power with God is to have a rich attitude of gratitude.
“In everything give thanks! For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
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