Nine Lepers
Luke 17:11–17
11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
14 So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 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?
This story in Luke tells of ten lepers that come and cry out to Jesus for mercy. He responds by telling them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they simply follow His command, they are healed. One of the lepers then returns to give thanks to Jesus. When he does, Jesus asks, “Where are the nine?” What an interesting question. What stopped nine healed lepers from returning and giving thanks? What prevented them from coming and being at the feet of Jesus?
Most of us are aware that thankfulness and intimacy are key ingredients in our walk with the Lord. The challenge of maintaining this posture of the heart is revealed by the fact that only one of the ten lepers returned to give thanks and worship at Jesus' feet. So, what happened to the nine and what can we glean from their story?
First, the focus of all these men was on their need. In the midst of horrendous circumstances, these men cried out for mercy. They were lepers, and as such they were outcasts, suffering from a putrid, degenerative disease. They had no family, no future, no income, and no hope. Who could blame such men for focusing on their need? All of us, when confronted with terrible circumstances or overwhelming necessity, turn our eyes towards self. God who abounds in mercy delights to answer our cry, yet He repeatedly encourages us to lift up our eyes and look to Him. Thankfulness reveals that we see Him and not self. In turn, it is thankfulness that paves the pathway to intimacy. The challenge for all of us, is will we take our eyes off self, look beyond our need, and see the One who loves and provides for us?
Secondly, it was Jesus Himself, that told these lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. All set about doing so. Nine however were so focused on what He told them to do, that they lost sight of the One who still speaks. He was the One who blessed their steps, healed their bodies, and restored their lives, but they lost Him in the midst of following His command. How easy it is to focus on what we have been told to do rather than the One who told us. We can be busy about the Lord’s bidding and focus on what has been said rather than the One who said it. God is not looking for servants – he is looking for sons. He is looking for those who listen for His voice and not just His command. Have we found ourselves recently being so caught up in His instructions, that we work for Him rather than walk with Him?
The lepers, when they stepped out as instructed, received their healing. Suddenly they had a miracle to speak of and a story to share. I’m sure their minds immediately went to those they could tell, and the lives they could change. They must have thought of family and friends they could be reunited with. There were people to talk to and cities to touch. With a sense of destiny, they would think of what their experience could mean for others. While our transformation may not be as dramatic as the nine, we still hold a story to share and a heart for those we are called to reach. In the midst of ministry and fulfilling our destiny, let’s be aware of the snare of busyness. How we need to constantly bring ourselves to His feet and live a life of gratitude. It is too easy to become focused on ministry, yet be dry in our relationships and disconnected from the Lord.
It is interesting that the one who returned to give thanks was a foreigner – a Samaritan. The other nine were Jews – children of Abraham and heirs of the covenant blessings of God. Healing belonged to them. It was theirs by right. Sadly, often what we see as our right we seldom appreciate. We fail to give thanks for what we believe we deserve. This attitude of entitlement keeps us as recipients of blessing but does little to generate thankfulness and worship. Being aware we have received far beyond what we could ever merit leads to a life of gratitude and connection.
The stance of a “son” is vital for our identity but can lead to presumption and entitlement. Let’s not be like the nine who simply receive and leave. Let’s learn to be like the one who returned and fell at the feet of Jesus. This one man, a Samaritan, not only received his healing, but was made whole. As he drew close and worshipped at Jesus’ feet, he received far more than just healing. His was the privilege of being near and looking up into the face of the Lord. Such a privilege awaits all who would come with thanksgiving and worship.
We have been cleansed and made whole by the One who meets our need. He hears our cry and is full of mercy. We can take what has been freely given, and live a life of wholeness, and fruitfulness. As such we have a testimony to share and a ministry to fulfil. The Lord longs however for those who will return to give thanks and are willing to worship at His feet. To such ones belongs both wholeness and intimacy.
Consider:
What keeps you from a lifestyle of thankfulness? Are you too busy doing a job and making a living to reflect on His goodness? Do daily demands consume your focus, or the call of ministry overwhelm your thoughts, and cloud your intimacy with the Lord?
What is the central focus of your life right now? Is it something you do with the Lord or for the Lord?
