Today's Passage:  Luke 17

"Where are the other nine?"  It's one of the saddest and thought-provoking questions in scripture.  Ten men had lived life as social outcasts.  They were not able to live among family and friends because of the fear their disease would spread.  Even on this day, they did not approach Jesus, but instead called out at a distance.  They had nothing in this world and no hope for the future...that is, until Jesus changes everything with one phrase.

The men run into town and show themselves to the priests...they are clean!  Scripture doesn't give us the full details of what happened, but we can guess at their extreme happiness.  Maybe a few of them went to find their families and rejoice together.  Maybe some went to those who had mocked and scorned them for their disease to show they were now equals in society.  Maybe some just went back to whatever they did before they were sick.  But only one thought, in the midst of this joy, to return back to the person who gave that joy and thank Him for the blessing.

"Where are the other nine?"  Where are the rest of the people I blessed?  Where are the rest of those who were once condemned to a life of shame, but now live in freedom and hope?  Where are the rest of those who should be praising my name?

Which story fits you better today...the nine or the one?  Are you remembering what life was like before Christ and praising Him daily, or are you living in the blessing without a second thought?