Scripture
15One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” Luke 17:15-16
Observation
Jesus had told the 10 lepers to go show themselves to the priest and they left before they had even received the healing. The narrative doesn’t reveal at which point they were miraculously healed. Was it half way back to town, right in front of the temple, as soon as they saw the priest, we just don’t know. We are simply told because each of them walked in obedience to the Master’s command each of them received healing and fresh skin and a new lease on life. They would now be allowed to go back to family and friends who they were separated from for so many years. They could all picture those reunions and didn’t want to wait another minute. Who can blame them? Jesus did the heavy lifting, but they had to walk it out. They had trusted Jesus wasn’t playing a cruel game to just get them off His back so He could ghost them. There was only one who wasn’t about to settle for less than The Savior. There was only one who was willing to delay his reunion with family to bring glory to the One who gave them this gift. The Samaritan, the half bread, wasn’t satisfied with the gift, He wanted The Giver. The Samaritan made the trek all the way back. Jesus was still there, waiting to see all 10 of them and looking forward to rejoicing with them. Yet, there was only one. This one, however, was as loud as 10 as he shouted at the top of his lungs “Praise God!" He was singing, “you can have all this world, just give me Jesus!” By law he had to keep his distance from the Rabbi when he had leprosy, but now he fell at His feet! He was offering Himself to Jesus because a physical healing was one thing, but it wasn’t everything. The other 9 had received a physical healing, but were still spiritually sick. Jesus didn't take the healing back, but He had so much more for those who came back. The Samaritan, came back to The Source of His Miracle and received eternal salvation in return.
Application
I’ve always read this passage ask assumed I’d be the one who came back to thank Jesus. Then, when I interrogate reality, I begin to wonder if I'm not one of the nine who took the gift and ran never to return. How often do I take the gifts Jesus gives me and run away instead of running to Him? Have I settled for the gifts and forgotten The Giver? It would be like my boys getting all the Christmas presents we bought them and then leaving with them instead of spending the day celebrating together. The real question I must answer is “what do I want?” If I just want my ticket to Heaven, if just want a reasonably peaceful life, if I just want Jesus to answer my prayer and let me be then I’m settling for less than the abundant life He has for me. If however, the answer to that question is “to be as close to Jesus as possible” then I’m going to make the long trek out of town back to the feet of Jesus no matter what it takes. My Pop raised me with the spiritual principle that every Christian is as close to Jesus as they want to be. As I dig deeper into my relationship with Jesus I want His presence more than what He can give me.
Prayer
You have given me so much more than I could ever earn or deserve. Forgive me for the lack of gratitude, the spoiled attitude, the spiritual platitudes that I have handed You in response to Your generous love. The fasting and prayer are the tools You’re using to awaken my spirit to how I have been hungering after presents over Your presence. What do I want? I want You Jesus. I want You!
"Prayer is the one hand that grabs ahold of the invisible and fasting is the other hand that lets go of the visible." -Andrew Murrey
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