But Where?

We often think of the 10 lepers who were healed.  Jesus asked two questions, one of which was “but where?”  Let’s consider that today.

Luke 17

11 “And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

Note that all 10 of the lepers raised their voices and called out to the Lord. They acknowledged him as the Master. They acknowledged he could do it.  All they asked for was mercy.

14 “And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.”

Note that Jesus gave them all the same instructions, and all of them went. They all received equal cleansing.

15 “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, 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.”

Note that only one returned. Jesus asked two questions he wants us to consider.

17 “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

But where are the rest?  Jesus sounded surprised, even sad.  Yet he was very appreciative that one turned back, took a moment from the gift of his healing and fell at his feet just to say “thanks.”

What questions.  These are put before us to deal with them today.

Were there not 10 cleansed?  Sometimes we dread Thanksgiving because of all the prep work. There is so much to cook; you’re worn out by the time Thursday comes. Then you have to gear yourself up for Black Friday.  What has happened to Thanksgiving?  Were not 10 cleansed?  Aren’t we all blessed?  No matter how lean times are or how hard they may be, we all have to agree that life has more blessing than cursing.  We’re like the 10 lepers who need something we can’t accomplish ourselves. Our health may not be what it was.  Our financial means may not be what they were.  We do have family and friends.  We don’t realize the place we have.  We have far more than we realize.

Stop and consider this.  Are we not all blessed?  Are you prone to look at what so and so has and cry “poor old me.”  You accentuate the negative by focusing on what you’re not.  We all need to remember some things.  We’re breathing. We’re not wearing rags.  Some people have little to wear.  Some were not able to have the kind of Thanksgiving meal we just enjoyed.  Some didn’t have a home for warmth. There are homeless people even here in Smyth County.  Were there not 10 cleansed?  Some are in between dialysis treatments. Some are facing uncertain diagnoses.  Yet when we have a little ache or pain we fuss.

What we have should stimulate and motivate us to fall at his feet and give him thanks.  But where?  Where are the nine? Where am I?  Where are you?   When it comes to being appreciative are we with the nine? We have the opportunity to turn back and say “thanks.”

Jesus wasn’t fishing for compliments when he asked these questions.  All he asks us right now is to think about what he’s done for us.  We can’t take credit for it.  All he wants is our thanks.  He wants to know where you are with it, and he wants us to realize where we are.  Where are we in our thanks?

Thanksgiving is ruined and ignored by the rushing in of Christmas.  It’s all but stepped on with buy, buy, buy and spend, spend, spend.  It’s used as the springboard for commercialism.  It’s a glut feast. We need God. We can do without the specials and hustle and bustle, but we can’t do without God.

It’s so different now.  The first Thanksgiving spawned from gratitude.  A group of people left tyranny, endured a voyage that many didn’t survive, and got here with far less than they started.  When they landed at what is now Massachusetts, they knelt at a rock, lifted up their heads to heaven, and gave thanks to God.  They had a new land. They had freedom. They had a new nation. They told God “we need you.”  We have America today because the Pilgrims knelt at that rock.  Here we come along; look what we’ve done with it.  Were not 10 cleansed? Yes.  Haven’t we all been blessed? Yes.  But where are the nine? Are you with the one or of the nine? Are you playing with the blessings bought by the blood of our forefathers? Are you playing with the blessings of the blood of your Savior?

Only one came back. Is he all by himself?  Don’t let this moment pass and leave him alone at Jesus’ feet.  Turn back.  Acknowledge who is responsible for what you have and how you received it.  We need HIS help more than ever.