Where Are the Nine?

Few folks in this world remember to be thankful.   Luke 17:11-19 gives us a biblical example. 

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem.  He passed between Samaria and Galilee.  On His way, He entered a village where He was approached by ten lepers who begged to be healed.  Jesus told them to go to the priests and as they went they were healed. 

Most of us probably already know about this event.  When one of the lepers realized he was healed, he turned back.  He praised God with a loud voice. As well he should have for Jesus had given him a remarkable gift of healing.  But that wasn’t all, was it? 

Luke 17:16 says the man “fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan.”

I can just see this scene played out in my mind.  This man with such a horrible, debilitating disease – one that makes a person an outcast of society – praised God loudly! 

He was overjoyed and full of thanksgiving.  So much so, that he fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.  Leprosy is such a terrible disease.  I can imagine the beauty of this scene.   But why did Luke mention that the man was a Samaritan?

I think the next two verses answer this question.  “Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Ten were cleansed.  Ten.  Only one came back.  NiNE did not come back.  They were healed just like the Samaritan was, but they were not thankful. 

Now when Jesus called the Samaritan a foreigner, He did not do so because of prejudice.  It was not a derogatory remark.  Not at all!  It was meant for emphasis.  Do we think Jesus didn’t already know there was a Samaritan in the group?  Of course, He knew!

Jesus’ remark was for emphasis.  It is most likely the other nine men were Jews.  They were the ones who were God’s chosen people.  They should have known their cleansing came from God!  Yet, they did not come back.  Only the Samaritan did. 

Jesus came to die for all nations – not just one.  God promised Abraham all nations of the earth would be blessed through his lineage.  Jesus is the answer to that promise for all of us. 

Near the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14).   

Are we among the few?  The answer is up to us.

Christ above all things - Robin