Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:11-19

We have read this story a number of times and probably heard it preached just as many. Ten lepers, all cured; one returned to give thanks. The Word of the Lord says in verse 15, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.”

Just reading the verses is exciting, because it reminds us of the human tendency to be satisfied with our prayer requests answered but disallowing that experience to help ground or frame our relationship with God. The leper (referenced in verse 19) understood the magnitude of the healing. God’s demonstrated power in that leper’s life permeated his spirit. He realized this touch was not just about his physical healing but his need to connect with the Master of the universe: the one who could also heal his sin-sick soul.

PRAYER: Lord, teach me to be like this leper who came back to thank you. Let me always be the first to give you praise for all that you have done for me. In the name of Jesus, I praise you. Amen.

Au, W., & Au, N. C. (2011). The Grateful Heart: Living the Christian Message. Paulist Press.