“On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance,they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean.Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19

The Lepers do as they are to do…they keep their distance, as they should.  They beg the Master for mercy, as they should, and Jesus hears their cries, as he often does. They listen to the master, as they should, and run to the priests. They are healed, as we knew they would, and we expect they will all return to Jesus, praising God, as they should. 

But only one returns to praise God – and that one is a Samaritan. Is that right? Well, that is the question we are to contemplate. The one who does return to thank Jesus is a Gentile, a Samaritan. He already believes he is outside of G-d’s love, because he is not an Israelite. And yet he returns to Jesus to praise and thank G-d for undeserved mercy.

Could it be that 9 out of 10 “religious people” take G-d’s grace for granted?  Could it be that 1 out of 10 “non-religious people” will come to recognize G-d’s grace for what it is – and will come to praise G-d as they should? Oh the questions the teachings of Jesus can raise in our minds, and our hearts.

Pastor Dave