Where Are the Other Nine?

“Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you” (John 12:35).

I am thankful for the profound depth and truth of this Scripture. While studying Scripture I come to see how fully it illustrates that in this life — particularly in the valleys of life — darkness is always chasing us. Dimensions of darkness such as indifference, compromise, fear or selfishness endlessly stalk us. Yet Scripture exhorts us to walk in the light, and Jesus has declared, “I am the light” (John 8:12). Our journeys through life’s valleys invite us into fresh and frequent encounters with Jesus.

My personal journey with Jesus began with my conversion during the Jesus Movement. During that time, my daily disciplines were shaped by “quiet times,” seasons of prayer and fasting, Scripture memorization and door-to-door evangelism. During my second decade of following Jesus, God built in me a foundation in Scripture that helped me more fully grasp Christ’s promise: “The words have spoken to you — they are full of the Spirit” (John 6:63).

A fresh encounter with Jesus, a relational experience that complemented my scriptural study, came as a result of a year-long prayerful journey. I was led to reflect on the deep suffering of Jesus, which drew my heart into deep encounters with the “man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). I started to see how Jesus’ earthly experiences caused him sorrow. For example:

• “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).
• “A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest” (Luke 22:24).
• “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?” (John 14:9).
• “ … Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40).

But it was Jesus’ encounter with the 10 lepers in Luke 17 that pushed me to more deeply understand our responsibility and our relationship to God in suffering.

“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, 10 men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:11–14).

These 10 men were clearly suffering, and Jesus had compassion on them and healed them. Beyond even the essential elements of obedience (“Go show yourselves to the priests”) and faith (“as they went, they were cleansed”) is a person, Jesus, who loves them deeply. (Similarly, as each of us makes our journey through valleys of loneliness and despair, beyond our obedience and faith, is Jesus longing to relate.)

But only one of them returns. “Jesus asked, ‘Were not all 10 healed? Where are the other nine?’ (Luke 17:17).

His question is more than merely casual curiosity. Jesus knew where they were, making their way to the priests that they might be restored into the community of faith. This question was not a rational one, but rather a relational one: “Why have the other nine not returned to give thanks?”

Listen beyond the text to the heart of Jesus: “Has no one returned to give praise to God … except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:18).

In this question, we hear an invitation — a call to return to Jesus with gratitude and renewed devotion. In the valleys of life and in moments of healing, this continual returning is what matters most. Our growing intimacy with Christ is critical for transformation into his likeness. As the Spirit prompts and empowers my encounters with him through his Word and in life, something within me begins to change — and that change is never God or his Word, but me.

I still remember the moment years ago when tears filled my eyes as I read this passage. My rational mind asked, “Why am I crying?” In that quiet moment, the Holy Spirit prompted a more relational question: “Who are you crying for?” I realized I was moved with compassion for Jesus himself.

My encounter with Jesus in Luke 17 became a turning point — a personal moment of transformation. It deepened my compassion for my family, friends and others in my life who were going through their own valleys of despair and pain. Acts of care and compassion began to flow more naturally, and with greater sincerity.

That morning, as tears of compassion filled my eyes, I remember thinking, “Jesus often blesses my life with his grace and demonstrates his love toward me as he did those lepers.” The lesson for me was unmistakable and life-altering: I never want Jesus to look around at those offering praise and thanksgiving, and wonder like he did with the nine lepers, “Where’s David?”

Hear from IJM founder Gary Haugen on how joy fuels resilience amid suffering

David Ferguson serves as executive director of The Great Commandment Network, leading U.S. and global initiatives that equip churches and ministries to live out Great Commission impact empowered by Great Commandment love. Ordained to pastoral ministry in 1979, he served in local church ministry for 10 years before transitioning into para-church leadership. He serves on numerous national and international boards and initiatives, including Empowered 21, Awakening America Alliance, the Garden Tomb Council, the Marriage CoMission, the Fatherhood CoMission and NextGen Imperative. David and his wife, Teresa, are co-founders of the Great Commandment Network and the Relational Values Alliance and have trained and coached ministry and business leaders in more than 50 countries. Ferguson has authored more than 25 books, including “Relational Foundations,” “Relational Discipleship,” and “Intimate Encounters.” He holds an M.Ed. from Texas State University, two doctoral degrees from Oxford Graduate School.