<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\u00a0<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
(Luke 17:14, ESV\/NIV)<\/em><\/p>\n
To understand this fully, let\u2019s start at Luke 17:12<\/strong> (ESV):<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAs he entered a village, he was met by ten men who had leprosy. They stood at a distance
and called out in a loud voice, \u2018Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!\u2019
When he saw them, he said to them, \u2018Go and show yourselves to the priests.\u2019 And as they went, they were cleansed.\u201d
\u2014 Luke 17:12\u201314 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWhy Did Jesus Instruct the Lepers to Go to the Priests?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
In the Old Testament, priests had the divinely appointed responsibility to examine those suspected of having leprosy. According to the Mosaic Law, they declared individuals ceremonially clean or unclean based on their physical condition. This is clearly outlined in Leviticus 13<\/strong> (NIV):<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhen anyone has a defiling skin disease, the priest is to examine them, and if the disease has turned their skin white and the hair on it is white,
and if it appears to be more than skin deep and has infected the lower parts of the body,
the priest shall pronounce them unclean because it is a defiling disease.\u201d
\u2014 Leviticus 13:9\u201311 (NIV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nTherefore, when Jesus told the ten lepers to \u201cgo and show yourselves to the priests,\u201d He was instructing them to obey the Law and have the priests officially confirm their healing and restoration to the community. If they still showed signs of leprosy, they would remain unclean and isolated.<\/p>\n
What is miraculous is that before they even arrived<\/strong>, their healing took place\u2014demonstrating the power of Jesus\u2019 word and faith in action.<\/p>\n
This parallels the healing of Naaman, the Syrian commander, who was instructed by Elisha to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed (2 Kings 5:14, ESV):<\/p>\n
\n\u201cNaaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.\u201d
\u2014 2 Kings 5:14 (ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nBack in Luke, only one of the ten healed men returned to thank Jesus, highlighting the importance of gratitude:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOne of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
He threw himself at Jesus\u2019 feet and thanked him\u2014and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, \u2018Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?\u2019\u201d
\u2014 Luke 17:15\u201318 (NIV)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nTwo Key Lessons from This Story<\/strong><\/h3>\n
1. Healing Requires Faith in Action<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Obedience is essential to receiving God\u2019s healing. The ten lepers had to take the step Jesus commanded\u2014go and show themselves to the priests. If they had ignored His words, they would have missed their healing. Likewise, your breakthrough often comes through trusting God\u2019s Word and acting on it, even when you don\u2019t immediately see results.<\/p>\n
2. Gratitude Glorifies God<\/strong><\/h4>\n
God desires a heart of thankfulness. Of the ten healed, only one returned to give thanks\u2014and Jesus pointed this out as an example of true faith and worship. Have you taken time to thank God for what He has done? Gratitude is an act of worship that brings glory to God.<\/p>\n
\nFinal Reflection<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior?
Are you ready to meet Him if He returned today?<\/p>\nIf you haven\u2019t yet, now is the time. If you have, share this good news with others and live a life of faith and gratitude.<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n