As he entered one village, ten men approached Him, but they kept their distance, for they were lepers. They shouted to Him, “Mighty Lord, our wonderful Master! Won’t You have mercy on us and heal us?”

When Jesus stopped to look at them, He spoke these words: “Go to be examined by the Jewish priests.”

They set off, and they were healed while walking along the way. One of them, when he discovered that he was completely healed, turned back to find Jesus, shouting out joyous praises and glorifying God.   Luke 17:12-15 TPT

Don’t you love it when the Word speaks a message into your heart that wasn’t there before? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me when I was reading the Bible this morning. Let’s look at this a little more closely.

• There was probably nothing worse to a Jew in the 1^st Century than to be both a Samaritan and a leper. Why? You were held in contempt because of past history and the disease. (Samaritans are the result of the marriages between the invading Assyrians and Jewish women.)
• Even though 10 wanted Jesus’ healing only 9 could complete what Jesus told them to do. The Samaritan could not and probably would not go to ‘be examined by the Jewish priests’.
• The lepers obeyed immediately and set off for the Temple. Interestingly, they were healed along the way. Is it because of their willingness to follow Jesus’ command right away that they were healed along the way?
• Most, if not all, of Jesus’ healings to this point had been in the moment. This healing miracle required action before it could be accomplished. Whether immediate or future when Jesus calls/commands we must act immediately.
• The Samaritan was the only one who returned to praise and thank Jesus. He certainly received the greater reward.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

All quoted scripture passages are from Bible Gateway.