Did You Forget to Go Back?

Ten men cried out to Jesus for mercy. They had leprosy, and they knew they needed help. Jesus told them to show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were cleansed. Imagine going from a life shaped by disease to realizing that your body had been healed.

But Luke 17:15–16 tells us that only one returned. He glorified God with a loud voice, fell at Jesus’ feet, and thanked Him. Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?” (Luke 17:17).

That question ought to make us stop and think. All ten had a reason to be thankful, but only one came back to express it. Scripture does not tell us what the other nine were thinking. We should not pretend to know. What it does tell us is that they received healing and did not return to give glory to God.

We can do something much like that. When trouble comes, we pray. We ask God to help us through a frightening day, give us strength, or meet a need we cannot handle ourselves. Then something changes, and we get busy with life again. We remember how badly we wanted help, but forget to thank the One we asked.

Being thankful does not mean every problem has been solved. Paul wrote, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Even in a hard season, we can thank God for His mercy, His promises, and the salvation He gives through Christ.

Think about something you have asked God for lately. Have you taken time to thank Him? And beyond that one request, have you thanked Him for what He has already done? The man who returned reminds us to do more than bring our needs to Jesus. We ought to bring Him our thanks, too.

________________________________________________________________________

“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler  | The Other Side of Amen |  theothersideofamen.com.