On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, they raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, show us mercy!” When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they left, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus replied, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.” (Luke 17:11-19, CEB)
I have always found this passage a little puzzling. 10 people with a skin disease approached Jesus and he tells them to go and show themselves to the priests and as they are going they were cleaned of their disease. And 1 of them when he saw he was cleaned of the disease returned to Jesus to thank him, and Jesus healed him.
Is there a difference between cleaned and healed? I can say yes. I have a skin disease, it has not been diagnosed but it is dry skin. My primary care physician suggested I use a shampoo that is made for dandruff as a body wash and if I wanted to go see a dermatologist. Well, my wife bought me a bar of soap made to help those with eczema. Now my skin is better so I am cleaned but I am not healed. Because if I stop using that soap, the dry skin will return.
So do you want to be cleaned or healed? And are you ready to thank Jesus? Have you thanked Jesus and fell at his feet?
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 