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Gratitude

 

In Luke, there is a story about ten lepers who Jesus sends to go show themselves to the priest, and while they are on their way Christ heals them from this horrible disease.

 

One thing to keep in mind, leprosy in ancient Jewish society was more than just a disease—it was a sentence of isolation. Lepers were cut off from:

• Family and friends: Forced to live in separate colonies, often in caves or outskirts of towns.
• Community life: No marketplace, no synagogue, no shared meals.
• Spiritual belonging: Declared “unclean,” they couldn’t worship or offer sacrifices. Their identity was reduced to their affliction.

 

When Jesus healed the ten, he didn’t just cleanse their skin—he restored their humanity. He gave them back:

• Their names, not just the label “leper.”
• Their place in society.
• Their access to worship and spiritual connection.

 

And yet, only one returned. And he was a Samaritan—a double outsider, both ethnically and religiously. That detail is no accident. It’s a powerful reminder that gratitude and faith often come from unexpected places.

 

Jesus’ question in verse 17—“Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

 

It’s not just about the lepers. It’s about us. How often do we receive blessings and keep walking, forgetting to turn back and say thank you?

 

Lord, please make my heart one of gratitude. If all you ever did for me was save my soul from the depths of hell, that would have been enough to deserve my never-ending praise. Yet, you are a God who cares about the day-to-day—no detail too small.

 

Thank you, Jesus!