What Jesus Did! 'Where Are the Thanks?' — Luke 17: 17-19

Monday, October 9, 2023

[When one of the healed lepers came back to thank Jesus,] Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you."
— Luke 17: 17-19 NLT

Key Thought

"Where are the other nine?" During his earthly ministry, Jesus said some sad things that tear our hearts apart:

"Simon son of John, do you love me?" [1]
"Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" [2]
"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" [3]
"Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" [4]

Each of these is agonizing. Unfortunately, Jesus frequently has to keep saying things like, "Where are the other nine?" Many of us go to the Father using the name and authority of Jesus and ask for many things great and small. In great love and mercy, the Father and the Son often bless us with precisely what we ask of them. Yet, with so many blessings lavished on us, our prayers remain focused on getting more rather than thanking and praising the Father and the Son for their generosity and grace. I'm sure they are hurt by having to ask the constant question of heaven, "Where are the thankful ones?"

[1] John 21:16.
[2] Luke 22:48.
[3] Matthew 27:46.
[4] Luke 23:46.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God and loving Father, forgive me for my self-centered preoccupation. You have blessed me with so much, and I seem to thank you for so little. I praise you for your selfless love, your abundant mercy, your costly grace, your faithfulness to your promises, and your assurance of my future with you. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who intercedes right now as I pray and who strengthens, equips, leads, and empowers me. Thank you for the breath I breathe, the food I eat, the clothes I wear, and the place I lay my head at night. For these, and thousands of other blessings from your hand, I thank you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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6 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Other Nine
Article by Patrick D. Odum
Wonder what all those other guys did? Patrick Odum talks about the the 10 lepers who were healed and only one came back to thank Jesus and puts the other nine into modern context and describes what they did instead of thanking Jesus.
Choosing to Be the 1!
Article by Phil Ware
In a world seeking to get and acquire, do we pause to give thanks for all we have? Phil Ware uses the parable of the 10 lepers to remind us that we want to be the 1 who returns to give thanks even though we live in a world where most people are not very thankful!
What Jesus Said Is a Life-Changer: The Sozo Habit
Article by Ann Voskamp
One perspective change, one life change, and salvation can flood in! Ann Voskamp shares the flash of insight that changed everything and began the journey of a 1000 God gifts and eucharisteo and thanksgiving.
One Out of Ten
Article by Tim Archer
Time to stop and say thanks When Jesus healed ten lepers, only one of them came back to give thanks. We need to follow his example, stopping to thank God for what he has done for us.
See All 6 Related Resources about Luke 17:17-19

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 17: 17-19 NLT — "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" —— "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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