While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:11-16
What is amazing to me is that when you have leprosy (that horrible disease of deterioration), you are an outcast and restricted from being near other people. Apparently, this group of ten lepers were a mixed group that allowed a Samaritan in their midst. In that day, Jews and Samaritans had a disdain for one another and considered each other ‘dogs’ and they avoided one another. But, when you have leprosy, all that really doesn’t matter. Ironically, the Samaritan is the one that had a godly response to his healing and returned to give God thanks. Fascinating. The Bible says of Jesus, ‘He came unto His own, but they knew Him not’.
Do I make rules about who I will and will not associate? How thankful to God am I?
God, my heart is warmed with thankfulness this morning. I am grateful that You have forgiven me of something far greater than leprosy, my sin! May my life be a continual shout of glorifying you!
