WHAT ABOUT THE NINE?

Text and lesson: Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
Luke 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Luke 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
Luke 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
Luke 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Luke 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
Luke 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

WHAT ABOUT THE NINE?

Ten lepers by the wayside,
How sad their mournful cries!
'Unclean, Unclean, Have mercy!'
How hopeless is their plight.

How sad their hearts and yearning
for homes forever gone.
No fond embrace of loved ones.
Forever, all alone.

Ten lepers without hope or joy,
Each dreary day the same.
until a spark of hope appears,
They hear the saviors name!

They hear how blind men see again
and of the lame made whole,
so now they wait beside the gate,
ten lepers with one goal

To see the face of Jesus.
To call upon His name.
If only he has power
equal to his fame!

See! He enters in the gate,
Their voices join in prayer,
"Jesus, Master, Have mercy on us"!
He turns to face them there.

"Go show yourself unto the priest."
and as they turned to go
they saw the flesh alive again,
that had been pale as snow!

One man, rejoicing, thanks Him.
Then, how sad comes the line;
"Did I not heal ten lepers?"
"Where then are the nine?"

I find these ten a lot like me,
I like his blessings fine,
Then thank him for one out of ten-
"But what about the nine?"

What about his loving care
and promises that are mine?
I'll pause 'someday' and thank him.
But what about the nine?

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This is not a parable; it is an actual event in the life of Jesus. As we look at these ten men, let us consider our own relationship with God.

I. Their first cry to Jesus was evidence of the deep feeling of their need.
A. There are some who don't realize their own condition.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

B. Those of us who are saved need to remember what we were.
1. Aliens and strangers to hope
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
2. Those most thankful for their salvation are those who are aware of their terrible condition without it.
Luke 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Luke 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luke 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luke 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luke 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

II. What about the nine? We are not told what these did after their cleansing, but human nature has not changed, so we only need to consider their counterparts of today.
A. One ducks down the alley of carnal pleasure. 'If it feels good, do it!'
The idea seems to be, condemn sin in general, but name nothing in particular, lest you offend someone. No wonder the youth are confused on many moral issues.
B. Another winds down the winding path of namby- pamby soft soap religion.
C. Perhaps another is seen racing down Bankers Row, looking for a 'fast buck'
D. One rests in the pleasant park of selfish self-satisfaction. 'I've got mine---'
E. still others soon wind up in the 'amnesia ward' of God's spiritual hospital.
2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

III. The tenth leper.
A. He turned back. Here was a man with a new life to live. He made a complete change of direction.
B. He glorified God in a loud voice.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
C. Fell on his face at the feet of Jesus. Here was the complete humility of total commitment.
D. He received the commendation of Christ.