The Ten Lepers—Only One Came Back
Text: Luke 17:11-19
We reflect on the story of the ten lepers, a powerful account of healing, faith, and gratitude. While all ten were healed, only one returned to give thanks. This story challenges us to examine our own hearts: Are we like the nine who received blessings and moved on, or like the one who returned to worship and give thanks? Let us dive into this passage and learn how to cultivate a heart of gratitude that glorifies God.
1. Jesus Is Always in the Path of the Needy (Luke 17:11)
“Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.” (Luke 17:11).
Jesus did not avoid the outcasts or the broken. He intentionally walked through places where the needy and marginalized lived. Lepers were considered unclean and were isolated from society, but Jesus came to them.
This reminds us that Jesus meets us where we are, even in our struggles and pain. No matter how desperate our situation, He is near, ready to extend His grace and mercy.
2. A Cry for Help: The Prayer of the Lepers (Luke 17:13)
“And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’” (Luke 17:13).
The lepers recognized their need and cried out to Jesus with sincerity and faith. Their prayer was simple but powerful, acknowledging their helplessness and His ability to save.
When we face challenges, do we cry out to Jesus with the same humility and faith? Prayer is our lifeline to God, and He hears the cries of those who seek Him.
3. Jesus’ Response: Testing Their Faith (Luke 17:14a)
“When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’” (Luke 17:14a).
Jesus did not heal them immediately. Instead, He instructed them to go to the priests, an act of obedience that required faith. The healing would come as they obeyed.
God often calls us to step out in faith before we see the miracle. Obedience is the pathway to His blessings. Are we willing to trust and obey, even when we don’t see the full picture?
4. Healing Along the Way: Miracles Happen When We Walk in Faith (Luke 17:14b)
“And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:14b).
The lepers were healed as they obeyed Jesus’ command. Their healing came not while they stood still, but as they took steps of faith.
This teaches us that faith requires action. When we trust God and move forward in obedience, we position ourselves to experience His miracles.
5. Only One Returns to Give Thanks (Luke 17:15)
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God.” (Luke 17:15).
Out of ten, only one returned to thank Jesus. This man’s gratitude set him apart. While the others may have been focused on their newfound freedom, this man’s heart was drawn back to the Giver of the blessing.
Gratitude is a mark of a transformed heart. It shifts our focus from the gift to the Giver. Let us be people who always return to give thanks.
6. A Grateful Heart Worships God (Luke 17:16)
“And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:16).
The grateful leper did not just say “thank you”; he worshiped. He fell at Jesus’ feet, acknowledging Him as Lord. True gratitude leads to worship, humility, and a deeper relationship with God.
When we give thanks, we honor God and recognize His goodness in our lives. Let our gratitude overflow into worship.
7. The Unexpected: The Grateful One Was a Samaritan (Luke 17:16b)
It’s striking that the one who returned was a Samaritan, a foreigner despised by the Jews. Yet, his heart was more aligned with God’s than the religious insiders.
God is not concerned with our background, status, or traditions. He looks at the heart. Let us examine our own hearts and ensure they are filled with gratitude and humility.
8. Jesus’ Question: Where Are the Others? (Luke 17:17)
“So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?’” (Luke 17:17).
Jesus’ question reveals His expectation of gratitude. While all ten received healing, only one returned to give thanks. Ingratitude is a sign of a heart that has forgotten the source of its blessings.
Let us not be like the nine who took God’s blessings for granted. Instead, let us be like the one who remembered and returned.
9. Gratitude is an Act of Faith that Brings Salvation (Luke 17:19)
“And He said to him, ‘Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.’” (Luke 17:19).
All ten were healed physically, but only the grateful leper received salvation. His gratitude was an expression of faith that brought him into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
True gratitude not only acknowledges God’s blessings but also draws us closer to Him. It is an act of faith that leads to spiritual wholeness.
10. Practical Application: Are You One of the Nine or the One? (Psalm 103:2)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2).
This story challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we like the nine who received blessings and moved on, or like the one who returned to give thanks?
Let us cultivate a heart of gratitude daily. Let our gratitude be expressed through words, actions, and a life of worship.
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Conclusion
The story of the ten lepers reminds us that gratitude is not just a response to God’s blessings; it is an act of faith that draws us closer to Him. While all ten were healed, only one returned to give thanks and received salvation.
Let us be like the one—grateful, humble, and worshipful. May our lives be marked by a heart of gratitude that glorifies God and testifies to His goodness.
