ONLY ONE TURNED BACK

          While the event recorded in Lk.17:11-19 (the healing of the ten lepers) appears to be a parenthetical to a much larger narrative   (Jesus on His to way to Jerusalem/vs.11), it is neither incidental nor accidental.  Peter testified to Cornelius’ household saying, “you know of Jesus of Nazareth…how He went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).  Yes, Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem to become a sin offering on our behalf, but our Lord was never too busy to extend help and healing to others.  It’s likely that Jesus’ disciples might have tried to re-route this trip along the border of Samaria (Jn.4:9).  It is also probable that Jesus was aware of this leper colony and purposely wanted to travel this path.  It is also not unthinkable to speculate that the disciples may have issued a warning to Jesus, “whatever You do, don’t make eye contact”.  Such advice is still doled out to those whose paths brush close to the homeless and hurting.  As the text reveals, however, Jesus never ceased being Jesus (Savior).  And so He stopped and healed the lepers - - all ten of them.  This was an amazing turn of events.  The priests who were charged with giving them a clean bill of health (Lev.14:1-32) would have surely stood in awe, sensing that something truly unprecedented what occurring in their very midst (Lk.17:21). 

          Even more astonishing than the healings (Jesus performed many miracles/Jn.20:30) is the fact that only one turned back.  How could this be?  How could anyone who had been in the death grip of leprosy not return to give thanks to THE ONE who gave him a completely new lease on life?  Such seems utterly inconceivable.  Yet how often we must appear to be of the same ilk - - ingrates.  A previous encounter between Jesus and Simon the Pharisee (Lk.7:40-47) may shed light on why some of us are the way we are.  He who (thinks he) is forgiven little, loves little (Lk.7:48).  MAY NOT ONE OF US DARE TO THINK WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN JUST A LITTLE.  Such a thought smacks of pride and arrogance.  On the other hand, when we come to realize how much we have been forgiven, we will be driven to our knees (Lk.17:16) and continually overflowing with gratitude (Col.2:7).                                 

                                                                                                                   Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ