These ten men lived with a medical restraining order of sorts, requiring them to keep their distance from anyone in the rest of society. But they call out to Jesus. In telling them to go and show themselves to the priests, He is offering to make them well. You see, Leviticus 14 says that if a leper experiences a divine healing, he is to show himself to the priest for inspection so that his quarantine can be lifted. Jesus doesn’t heal them immediately; He requires a step of faith. The text says they were cleansed “as they went” in obedience. And then, even though all ten lepers are healed, only one returns to express gratitude.


I don’t think any of us is very fond of being taken for granted or being unappreciated. Jesus must have faced this a lot, though. He often performed miracles in settings where no one believed. He hesitated to provide miraculous signs when it was presumed upon Him. We are fortunate that Jesus is merciful and loving. Even when we fail to acknowledge His great gifts, He showers us with reasons to give thanks.