The one who returned
Today's focusJesus heals ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, turns back to glorify God and give thanks, and Jesus asks, 'Where are the nine?'
Read
11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Reflection
In this passage, ten men cry out from a distance, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." Though they stood "afar off" due to their condition, Jesus saw them and sent them toward the priests. As they obeyed his word, the miracle happened: "as they went, they were cleansed." All ten received the gift of physical healing, yet as they continued on their way, a significant divide occurred. Only one man, recognizing the change in his body, "turned back" to find the source of his restoration.
When you experience God’s mercy, you are invited to follow the example of this "stranger." While the others continued on, this man used his "loud voice" not to beg for help, but to glorify God. He "fell down on his face" at the feet of Jesus, "giving him thanks." Jesus asks a searching question: "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" This reminds you that while many receive blessings, it is a special act of faith to return and acknowledge the Giver. To this one grateful man, Jesus offers a deeper blessing, saying, "thy faith hath made thee whole."
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
What has God done for you that you have not yet stopped to thank him for?
Pray
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have received your goodness and walked on without thanks. Today I turn back to give you glory. Make me a grateful person.