” Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this one foreigner?’ ” Luke 17:17-18
I really do not think the other nine lepers were ungrateful or rude. Leprosy was a horrible disease. No only did it eat away your skin, but it ate away your existence in the community. You could not associate with anyone. Your parents, spouse or your children could not get near you to hug you. It was a very lonely and isolating disease.
My guess is that the other nine dashed away rejoicing and seeking their friends and families. Their arms had ached for their loved ones and now miracles of miracles they could hold them. They wanted everyone to share in their joy. Perhaps they even gave the credit to this man Jesus whom they met on the road.
When things are “eating me”, I can feel isolated if I let myself get in a slump and throw a pity party. When I receive God’s mercy and grace, I, too, want to run and tell everyone, “Look what happened. Look what God did!” When I know people have been praying for me, I want to tell them their prayers were heard. I certainly want to hear that from others I’ve been praying for. Then when things calm down, I go to my closet and thank my Lord for His wondrous love. Have I been praising Him to others before I acutally praise Him?
Heavenly Father, forgive me for not turning to You and thanking you immediately for the gifts you bestow on me- your healing mercy, love and grace. Forgive me for not sharing my joy with you first and foremost as quickly as I share my sorrow and distress. I do praise You and love You and need You daily in my life. Cleanse me from whatever is eating me and remind me that I need to lay it all at the foot of the Cross in praise- good and bad – because all is Yours and all is for purpose. Amen.
“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” Psalm 9:1
