11Now as he was traveling to Jerusalem, going through the border area between Samaria and Galilee, 12he came to a certain village and ten men who had leprosy met him. They were stading outside, 13and they shouted, “Jesus, Master! Have mercy on us!” 14And when he saw them he said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were traveling, they were cleansed. 15But one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned, praising God with a loud voice. 16He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, thanking him. Now he was a Samaritan. 17But Jesus answered, “Were not ten men cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found coming back to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to the man, “Get up and go. Your faith has saved you.” — Luke 17:11-19
You know, I can think of lots of reasons why those nine men didn’t go back, praise God, and give thanks to Jesus. Let’s try a top 10:
10 – Why did God let me suffer so long anyhow?
9 – I’m still dressed in these ugly, dirty clothes.
8 – I haven’t seen my family for years, so I’m in a hurry.
7 – The people back in that town don’t like me.
6 – I’m not really clean until the priest confirms it.
5 – The guy who healed me told me to go to the priest. Who am I to disobey? (Adjusts halo.)
4 – Maybe it was just a coincidence.
3 – I don’t want to think about what I was before; the faster I can get out of here, the better.
2 – I’ve been yelling “Unclean! Unclean!†for years, my throat is sore, and I don’t have energy to keep on making a scene.
And the top reason for not giving thanks is?
1 – God did the healing after all. I can just thank him in my heart. Thanking the human agent will just make him proud.
What’s your excuse?
