¹¹ On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance ¹³ and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” ¹⁴ When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. ¹⁵ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; ¹⁶ and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:11-18 Touched by the Eternal

Were all the lepers Samaritan, or just the one?  However, the one Samaritan has a correct attitude to Jesus.  Jesus has healed us all in some way.  Jesus has cleansed us from sin and physical ailments that would have killed us if it weren’t for common grace.  All of the lepers want relief, only one realises his quest for relief has pushed him toward something more significant.  Suffering can have many responses.  Some sit under it and complain, they feel they can find nothing that will help them.  Some have a very particular idea of how God must work in their lives, but some are seeking relief wherever it may be found.  

These lepers had heard of Jesus the miracle worker.  They hoped that he would heal them.  By this time he had healed others of similar diseases.  They were desperate in their pleas and Jesus had compassion on them all in order to heal them.  When they received relief, it dawned on one of them what kind of man could perform this act in his life.  The physical healing was temporary, but the one who turned back and fell before Jesus was touched by the eternal.

The eternal can touch and teach each of us today.  We fall down before him in prayer, we move forward in faith.  Then The Eternal One sends us on our way to live a life that is healed and brings healing.

Prayer

You are gracious in bringing relief to the world especially when we cry out to you.  Help us not to forget you in ingratitude but help us to fall before you in continuous surrender.

Questions

1. What did the lepers seek?
2. Did everyone receive what Jesus wanted to give them?
3. If they were all made well, why did Jesus respond to the single Samaritan by telling him that his faith had made him well?
4. How do some find physical relief without finding true relief?
5. Are you living face down in front of Jesus?