It is a brief story found only in Luke 17. There is an unusual reference to Jesus travelling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. Unusual because on the way to Jerusalem you normally should be travelling north to south, not east or west. The story reminds us of Jesus' concern for outcasts like the excluded lepers and a reminder that those farthest from God often respond better than those who are "His people" (see the Good Samaritan parable).
However what should and does draw our attention most: only one came back! Ten men, estranged from family and village, ugly from disease and bonded only because no one else wanted them. They dare not approach Jesus and the apostles - so they stand at a distance. They don't cry out "Jesus, heal us" but rather "Jesus, take pity, have mercy!"
We aren't told how they knew about Jesus. We aren't told how much faith they had. We don't know if nine were Jews and only one a Samaritan. What we do know is that they were in desperate need of God's mercy, of God's healing power.
Jesus in response tells them to take a faith walk. To start walking toward the place where they will find a priest who according to Jewish law is the one with authority to declare them healed, clean, permitted to return to village and family. And by faith, the ten begin to walk - away from Jesus toward a merciful healing!
What great fun a film maker could have with the scene. Did one of them look at his own disfigured feet and suddenly see, protruding from his sandals 10 healthy toes? Did another one in conversation with his fellow sufferer stagger back because he'd just seen a scarred face made whole? Did they all discover healing at once, or what? Use your imagination. We do know that all ten were joyously healed.
But only one returned to Jesus. I suppose we could rise up in defence of those who failed to return and give thanks. Perhaps overwhelmed with joy they temporarily forgot all about Jesus and the priest and ran directly to long missed family. Or perhaps they ran quickly to the priest and then hurried to their family. Maybe in the rush they decided they would simply thank Jesus later.
We don't know. We only know that Jesus was evidently disappointed. Ten men, some at least Jewish men, who knew God should be thanked and praised, yet only one, a Samaritan returned to give thanks.
As we approach another Sunday, I want to be found among the truly thankful. I want to be one who offers the best that I can to God in thanks, praise and worship.
"Lord, don't let us be found with the nine - too busy, or too pre-occupied, or too ----. We want to thank You in spirit and in words!"
However what should and does draw our attention most: only one came back! Ten men, estranged from family and village, ugly from disease and bonded only because no one else wanted them. They dare not approach Jesus and the apostles - so they stand at a distance. They don't cry out "Jesus, heal us" but rather "Jesus, take pity, have mercy!"
We aren't told how they knew about Jesus. We aren't told how much faith they had. We don't know if nine were Jews and only one a Samaritan. What we do know is that they were in desperate need of God's mercy, of God's healing power.
Jesus in response tells them to take a faith walk. To start walking toward the place where they will find a priest who according to Jewish law is the one with authority to declare them healed, clean, permitted to return to village and family. And by faith, the ten begin to walk - away from Jesus toward a merciful healing!
What great fun a film maker could have with the scene. Did one of them look at his own disfigured feet and suddenly see, protruding from his sandals 10 healthy toes? Did another one in conversation with his fellow sufferer stagger back because he'd just seen a scarred face made whole? Did they all discover healing at once, or what? Use your imagination. We do know that all ten were joyously healed.
But only one returned to Jesus. I suppose we could rise up in defence of those who failed to return and give thanks. Perhaps overwhelmed with joy they temporarily forgot all about Jesus and the priest and ran directly to long missed family. Or perhaps they ran quickly to the priest and then hurried to their family. Maybe in the rush they decided they would simply thank Jesus later.
We don't know. We only know that Jesus was evidently disappointed. Ten men, some at least Jewish men, who knew God should be thanked and praised, yet only one, a Samaritan returned to give thanks.
As we approach another Sunday, I want to be found among the truly thankful. I want to be one who offers the best that I can to God in thanks, praise and worship.
"Lord, don't let us be found with the nine - too busy, or too pre-occupied, or too ----. We want to thank You in spirit and in words!"
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