Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Luke 17:17-18

Thirty-five-year-old Jake Booth was having a hard time of it.

An Army vet, Booth had contracted a nasty case of double pneumonia and then he had a heart attack. Between the pneumonia and the heart attack, he went into a coma.

Booth stayed in that coma at a Tampa, Florida, hospital for 48 days.

On day 48, almost "miraculously," according to the United Press International, Booth awoke. Unlike many in his situation, he had no difficulty recognizing family or knowing where he was or any of the other details of his life.

Almost immediately Booth began to speak.

Speaking was a difficult thing for him to do since, while he had been in his coma, it had been necessary to fit him with a tracheotomy tube. Even so, as soon as Booth could communicate, he put in a request for ...

He asked for ...

Before I tell you what Booth asked for, let me ask you what would be the first thing you would want after having been at death's door? It is an interesting question, isn't it? Would you want to see a family member, or might you want to see an old enemy so you could make up with him while there was still time?

Well, I don't know what you wanted, but I can tell you that Booth asked for Taco Bell. That's right, Taco Bell. He couldn't get everything out in one sentence, but he made his request known. His brother checked to make sure: "You want Taco Bell?" And Booth nodded yes.

So, what did you say you wanted first?

When Jesus was with us, He asked the same question about a group of ten lepers whom He had healed? He wanted to know what happened when they looked at themselves, at each other, and realized they had been restored. Back then, only one of those lepers thought the first thing he ought to do is return to the Savior and give thanks.

That was disappointing to the Savior whose comment was "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"

Well, you know Booth wanted Taco Bell and you now know Jesus wants praise. I pray you agree with me and say, "One of those answers is probably better than the other."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I have put other things before You. Accept my thanks and praise for Your many blessings and most especially for the gift of salvation Jesus has won. In His Name I pray. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 39-41    John 12:27-50

To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"