Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

It was a terrible condition.

The disease which isolated its victims didn’t travel alone, for the mention of the word brought fear, dread and despair. The instant the first white patches of leprosy appeared on the skin, terror swept through the unfortunate.

The leper was sent away, forever, without a kiss, a handshake, a hug or even a pat on the back. No touching allowed. In addition, the leper was to tear his clothes, leave his hair unkempt, cover the lower part of his face, and should he ever come near the healthy, he was to cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” Doomed to a miserable existence difficult to call a life, lepers were forced to dwell outside of the community.

Enter Jesus.

Ten lepers saw Him. Despite their instructions, their past shouts of “Unclean!” and their present condition, they called out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

Jesus said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests,” and they went. They knew that Jesus was their only hope, and in their desperation they didn’t stop to question His instructions. They obeyed and were healed on the way.

What a scene that must have been! Ten men suddenly realizing that they were healed. But the Bible only records the response of one in Luke 17. Before returning to his family and running into his now bright future, the grateful man went back to Jesus, bowed in worship to the One who changed everything and thanked Him.

Jesus asked, “Were not all 10 cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

I want to follow in the steps of the grateful leper and return to Jesus, over and over, to thank Him for all He has done. I want to express continual appreciation and live with an attitude of gratitude.

Now that’s a wonderful condition.

 

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.