Luke 17:11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus[e] was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’s[f] feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? So where are the other nine? 18 Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”
The route that Jesus had to travel between His hometown ministry region of Galilee and the destination for His death in Jerusalem ran right through Samaria. Samaria was home to Samaritans, whom devout Jews considered religiously impure.
The stage was set for Jesus to encounter people that His healers would consider unworthy of His love and care. And when ten lepers stopped Him during his life journey, begging for healing, Jesus showed what love was. He healed all ten. And then, as a shock and condemnation to His Jewish followers, only one of the ten returned after confirmation of cleansing to give thanks, a Samaritan. Sometimes, in the presence of strangers, we truly encounter faith.
Prayer
God, help me to look beyond my own prejudice and pride to see genuine faith at work in others. And help me to model true faith in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
