Where are the Nine?

Luke 17:17
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

This morning Jesus had healed ten lepers from their horrible disease. Ten of them... But only one turned back to thank Jesus for the healing that had taken place in his life. He was one that saw God move in such a great way and appreciated the work that He had done in his life. So without hesitation, this leper turned back and gave glory unto God. Then Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" He asked about the others that experienced His grace and healing.

I see it daily. People will walk pass paper on the floor of a restaurant or building and look straight at it and never pick it up. But if it effected their bill at the restaurant would they do it? In other words what if that restaurant said they would give you a discount of 20% every time you come eat and are respectful enough to keep their establishment clean, would you do it? Yes you would for prosperity. What if it was an bank that you were in and you saw the deposit slips had fallen off the counter and needed to be picked up, would you do it? What if you did that the bank owner saw that servants heart and walked out of their office with a $250 gift card? Yes you would pick them up. What if you saw the copy machine without paper and you knew that the boss was standing behind you and was watching every move you made, would you do it? Sure you would and you would also make sure to throw the outside wrapper away by the closest garbage can to them. Because we love to hear the praise of men and impress them with our great feats of labor. (that wrapper is heavy and troublesome)

Isn't it funny that we will do everything in this world to receive prosperity and praise of men. If we know they are looking and we could get a "that'a boy" out of them, most times we do it. We love the praise, and we love the prize. Well this one man loved the healing and he loved Jesus. No matter what the other nine did he went back and thanked Jesus for the healing. Some teach that he received a greater blessing than the others also, but no matter if he did or not this wasn't the reason he returned. He went back because he was thankful, not to receive something else.

This morning, tell Jesus how thankful that you are. Are you one of the unthankful nine? Or are you the one who is appreciative? Thank you Jesus for healing my heart.