Except This Foreigner?

Of the ten lepers who were healed only one returned to thank Jesus.

It says, "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, he threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:15-18,NIV).

It's possible the other nine were Jewish so the Lord's expectation was of all the ten these would have returned to praise Him. When Jesus says, "except this foreigner" it was not to demean the man's nationality but illustrate the appreciation of someone who is an outsider versus and insider who took for granted the blessing.

This man's disease kept him from living a normal life. And his race as a Samaritan put him at odds with his Jewish neighbors and locked him out the temple. Perhaps this is why he had a deeper appreciation for his healing. He knew something of rejection, isolation and physical torment. It says in verse 12 that he and the others stood a far off crying out to Him. He couldn't draw near because of his illness. Why would anyone care for him? Except Jesus who happened to be a Jew and the Son of God.

Beloved, no matter our condition God cares to heal and restore us. It's a work only He can do and our part is rather simple. Thank Him. Thank Him when we are not healed and when there are moments of relief. Thank Him when the boss at work is angry and when he or she is calm. Thanking the Lord is not to gloss over the pain and difficult things in life. True worship comes from a place deep within that knows something of the mercy of God.

Many troubles in this life are momentary but praise makes for an eternal habitation for Christ.

Jesus said something so remarkable at the end of this exchange that it's easy to over look. In verse 19 it says, "Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." Why did Jesus say this when he was already healed as we read in verse 15? I want to suggest that Jesus healed him not only of a physical disease but He went much deeper. The man's faith brought him into an eternal life. He was made spiritual whole.

Many can be healed and go their way and never be changed. The healing stays on the surface of the skin but those who turn to offer thanks, God meets them with a greater healing.