Who is God like? Vv. 11-14- He pours out unbiased compassion and grace. He does not distinguish between Gentiles and Jews nor does he distinguish lepers from those who are well. Even to corrupt people in corrupt lands, if they trust Jesus’ power and seek out compassion then they will be cured and find rest and taste the year of grace. In Jesus there is no hopeless life that cannot stand and there is no grave sin that cannot be forgiven and there is no broken spirit that cannot be recovered. When our God hears a plea for compassion, he goes to them and can heal them; without even touching them, he can raise them up and restore them.
What lesson is God teaching me? Vv.12-14- After hearing the words of the Lord, the lepers were sure that they were healed and did as Jesus told them and left to see the chief priest of that region. That is why they were able to experience an immediate healing on the street that seemed impossible. A life of faith doesn't always mean that you receive in your hands what you’ve always wanted. Faith is an adventure of certainty. It is letting go of your ability and wholly trusting in God's ability.
Vv. 15, 16- Out of the ten that were healed, the nine Jews went on their way; only one Samaritan came back to give thanks to Jesus. It is not that he gave thanks after being pronounced clean by the chief priest and allowed to rejoin the community; he came back right when he was healed. He felt that there was nothing as important as going back to Jesus and thanking him. Giving thanks requires an attitude that does not take things for granted but seeing things as grace from God.
My life without thanks was a life where I had forgotten grace. Help me to recover a life of thanks.
