Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)
Read Luke 17:11-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. Verse 12As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, Verse 13they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Verse 14When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Verse 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. Verse 16He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Verse 17Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Verse 18Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Verse 19Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
Devotion
Ten lepers were healed but only one returned to give thanks. We note that they had been rescued from a disease that was both dreaded and scorned in society. If this were a poll, we would say these numbers represent a control group of a given population, with 90 going on their way and 10 percent returning to thank the healer. It is a reminder of how we take for granted the wonderful acts of God. We often forget to return to God with a heart of thanksgiving. The same is true when God acts through our fellow human beings – we also forget to return and say thank you.
Prayer
O God, help us reflect on the many difficult situations you rescue us from and the mercies you show to us each day, which we often take for granted. Thank you for stirring in us hearts of gratitude for your constant grace and mercy on us. Amen.