11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, 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 cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Often, when we sense our faith is growing dim, God sends along someone - even the last person we would expect - who will demonstrate faith to encourage our own. This account is simple and clear: these lepers called out in faith for mercy; Jesus gave instructions they followed; they were healed and cleansed. Just because the nine did not return does not mean they were not thankful. In fact, they were instructed by the law of God to be proclaimed clean by the priest before they went close to anyone else. They were going to thank God too. What this Samaritan demonstrated was His faith in Jesus, and that's what the apostles needed to see. May the Lord increase our faith today, and use us to encourage one another as well.
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