Background

In this text, we encounter a group of 10 lepers.  Now lepers were those who suffered from a contagious skin disease known as leprosy, which caused open sores, numbness, and even a loss of fingers.  Whenever lepers were around, they had to announce themselves by saying, “Unclean! Unclean!”  But when this group of lepers encountered Jesus, they cried out for Him to heal them.  When Jesus heard that he sent them to show themselves to the priests.  They were cleansed as they went obeying the command of the Master.  Notice that when you obey the commands of the Lord, everything begins to get better.

As they realized that there were healed, there were two responses: 1) Nine lepers continued on their way as they left Jesus.  2) One leper turned around and came back giving glory to God for his healing.  Now Jesus’ response was interesting.  He said, “Were there not ten cleansed?  But where are the nine?

“How can people be blessed by God and not be grateful.” – Min. Darrell Whitehead

WHY WERE THEY UNGRATEFUL?

Reason 1:  The Blessing Did Not Come Immediately

Notice, that Jesus said go show yourself to the priest.  It said they were healed as they went, so step-after-step-after-step they were progressively healed.  Could it be that the lepers started thinking that the healing came from the steps they took and not God?

“Have you confused God’s grace with your own steps?” – Darrell Whitehead

“We get mad when we ask God for a miracle but we don’t want to participate in the miracle.” – Min. Darrell Whitehead

Reason 2:  There Were 9 Galileans and One Samaritan

Jesus was from Galilea and so 9 of the lepers saw someone that looked like them, who they possibly had known growing up.  So, the expectation could have been that you are supposed to do this for us.  You owe us as countrymen.

Wherever there is a spirit of entitlement there is diminished gratitude?” – Min. Darrell Whitehead

“Whose praise?  His Praise!” – Min. Darrell Whitehead

As you go about your week, thank God for the people He uses to intercede on your behalf

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