“Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus is disappointed that only one has come to give thanks for their healing, yet he doesn’t withhold the healing.
We are not told how long it was or how far they walked before being healed, but out of the ten healed lepers, only one returned to thank Jesus. It could be that this man didn’t even get
as far as the priest because he turned back when he saw he had been healed. This man, an outcast and Samaritan, came back to Jesus. His faith was strong and his heart full of gratitude.
Jesus had sent the men to the priest. Perhaps, the Samaritan realised, in his healing, that Jesus was the most high priest. He realised that the gift was not in the healing, but rather in the one doing the healing. Jesus is the gift, the hope, the joy
and the promise of a fulfilled life.
It is easy to have faith and believe in Jesus when we are sick. We beg and bargain for healing, for ourselves or loved ones. We pray and put all our trust in Jesus, who saves us. Do we remember to live out our faith, serve, connect with others, and bring hope and joy when we are well? Our faith in Jesus makes us well, no matter who we are and where we find ourselves.
How do you express your thankfulness to God for all he does in your life?
Reflections by Gillian Hugo
