One of them, as soon as he saw that he was cleansed, turned back, praising God in a loud voice;
and throwing himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks. This man was a Samaritan.
Then Jesus asked him, “Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine?
Did none of them decide to return and give praise to God, but this foreigner?”
And Jesus said to him, “Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you.
REFLECTION:
There are several parallels between this story and the story of Naaman,
the Gentile who was also healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-19).
Both Naaman and the Samaritan leper were foreigners who sought healing from a Godly Jew.
Both were ordered to perform a small, seemingly irrelevant action prior to the healing taking place.
Elisha told Naaman to bathe in the river Jordan seven times. Jesus told the ten lepers to show themselves to the priest,
who could certify a healing but who could not heal a leper.
In both stories, healing took place only after they obeyed the man of God.
Both Naaman and the Samaritan returned to praise God.
Elisha’s closing words to Naaman were, “Go in peace” (2 Kings 5:19).
Jesus’ closing words to the Samaritan were, “Get up, and go your way.
Your faith has healed you” (Luke 17:19).
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020