Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)
Read Luke 17:11-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. Verse 12As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, Verse 13they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Verse 14When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Verse 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. Verse 16He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Verse 17Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Verse 18Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Verse 19Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
Devotion
One of our kids seemed to collect stitches. No broken bones, but lots of trips to the doctor because of trips of a different kind – trip over the soccer rival or trip onto the only big rock in sight. A few stitches, a little time, and the skin is knit back together with barely a trace of the wound. We are miraculously created. Not perfect, not indestructible, but incredible nonetheless.
Many times a day we are touched by Jesus’ healing hand, restored in body and spirit. It’s not usually in spectacular ways like the 10 lepers who were cured; more often, our restoration comes in the form of a scratch that heals, a mosquito bite that stops itching, words of forgiveness, or an argument that ends with reconciliation.
Whenever we are touched by Jesus’ hand, it is good to be like the grateful one who returned to thank the healer for such a gift!
Prayer
God of miracles, large and small, thank you for making us mendable and healable. Open our eyes this day, that we can gratefully see you at work in our lives, restoring us and others. Amen.