By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
In Luke 17:11-17 we read an incredible moment which makes us ask, “How do I express thanks for my healing”
“While traveling to Jerusalem, He passed between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, 10 men with serious skin diseases met Him. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were healed. But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus said, “Were not 10 cleansed? Where are the nine?” (HCSB)
We find Jesus has encountered ten men who are suffering from the dreaded disease of leprosy. Leprosy is a contagious disease that affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves, causing discoloration and lumps on the skin and, in severe cases, disfigurement and deformities. Leprosy is now mainly confined to tropical Africa and Asia. In Bible times, people suffering from the skin disease of leprosy were treated as outcasts. There was no cure for the disease, which gradually left a person disfigured through loss of fingers, toes and eventually limbs.
These men cried out for mercy from a distance. Although Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He noticed these individuals who were in need. Asking no questions, he said simply, “Go, show yourselves to the priest.” According to custom the priest would determine if they were healed.
The ten men obeyed. They began their pilgrimage and began to take note of the change in their body. Skin was forming, eyes were cleared, inflammation was no longer a pain. These ten began to become joyful. The sorrow of their heart changed as they realized lifelong banishment was over. Soon they would be able to return home to family, spend time with friends. They were cleansed! They were whole! They were healed! Returning to their own homes and communities was most likely the center focus of their conversations as they walked along the dusty road.
But notice the lesson comes from the example of one of the ten. He saw his healing, abandoned the journey to the priest and hurried back, praising God with excitement, not caring what anyone thought of him. He was loud. He was ecstatic. After all, he was healed!
Throwing themselves at the feet of the Savior like this Samaritan did was what was expected of the other nine, but only one of them returned. Number ten came back to the One who healed them all and he took the time to thank Jesus for his healing.
And Jesus asked where the others were? Why did they not return?
It is a question which should prompt us to think about our own thankfulness. This one who returned was healed physically and spiritually. Jesus points this out by saying, “Your faith has made you well.”
Though we have not suffered from leprosy, we have been healed from a greater risk to our physical and spiritual health. It is a cancer eating us alive. It was a deadly disease.
It was the disease of sin.
Being healed from such a terrible, devastating disease we need to ask, “How do I express thanks for my healing?
The song, “My Tribute,” by Andrae Crouch says it best:
“How can I say thanks for the things
You have done for me?
Things so undeserved yet You gave
To prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be
I owe it all to You
To God be the glory…
For the things He has done
With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me…
Just let me live my life and
Let it be pleasing Lord to Thee
And if I gain any praise
Let it go to Calvary…”
Well, how do you express your thanks for your healing?
Until next time…