The Leper

The following is based off of Luke 17:11-16. It is a fictionalized version of what I imagined might have happened at that time. It is not intended to be scriptural fact, but only to draw you into the emotions, and experiences that this man may have been through.  -MW

He had been sitting at the gate for hours. The burning sun was high in the sky. He would shout at those who came into the town to try and get their attention, anything that would get him some money, some handout, something that would tide him over with food for the next few days. It was hot, and he was covered by the dust kicked up by the feet of the travelers that would go out of their way to pass him by.

He had lost the feeling in his hands and feet years ago. He was beginning to feel numbness in his nose. His eyes wouldn’t cry anymore. He had lost all sensation. He began to lose hope too. He remembered when things weren’t this way. He remembered his wife. His children. His home. His life. But that was all gone now. They all left him when his disease began to manifest itself. They shunned him. Cast him off like the rest of society.  He had lost everything and entered into despair. He had met the other men here afflicted the same way as he. At least with them he could relate. Here they were, outcasts. Hoping for a little compassion from anyone who would be willing to acknowledge their existence. Though they stayed away from him too because he was a Samaritan. 

As they sat huddled by the side of the road, one of them looked up. He slowly stood and began shouting. “Jesus! Master! Have mercy on us!” His pulse began to quicken. Could it be Him? Could it really be Him? He looked at the Master with hope renewed in his eyes. He had heard about Jesus from rumors around the town. Fantastical stories about a great healer that made blind men see and lame men walk. Could He…would He be willing to heal them also? Hope blossomed in his heart when he saw Jesus look their way with compassion in his face. Then he heard Jesus say “Go and show yourselves to the priests”.

He knew what this meant. All of them jumped up and immediately set off. As they were going he felt something in his hands and feet. He FELT something in his hands and feet! He hadn’t felt anything in his hands and feet in a very long time! There was a tingling all over his body and he slowed down to a walk, eventually stopped altogether, and looked down. He looked at his hands, his feet, his arms. He reached up and touched his face and neck. Everything was smooth and clean. He was astonished! How could this be??

Gratitude filled his heart and he began to overflow with emotion! He turned around, desperately looking for Jesus. He ran back and fell on his face at the Lord’s feet and thanked him…worshiped him! He couldn’t express the gratitude in his heart enough about how he felt towards him! 

“Jesus! Jesus!” he cried! “Master!” Oh how his heart sang! For once he was dead, and now he was alive. Once he was an outcast and now he was accepted. Once he was lost, now he was found.

Believer. What was the difference between the one leper and the other nine? Besides the gratitude part, I mean. They all cried out for mercy. When Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests, they all went. And as they were going, they were all cleansed. All of them were obedient. So, what is it? What’s the difference between those guys, and the one that came back? Do you know?

It was his heart! It wasn’t out of religious practice or ritual (show yourself to the priest). He came back because he realized who his obedience…his love, was to, and for. Jesus. That’s why Jesus says in verse 19 “your faith has healed you.” He was truly saved.

So, how’s your obedience believer? Is it out of religious practice or ritual? 

Or is it from a love for your Savior? 

Psalm 40:8 “I delight to do your will. O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Image citation:
St. James Catholic Church, 2021. Leper thanks Jesus. [image] Available at: <https://www.saintjames.church/jesus-heals-10-lepers/> [Accessed 20 August 2021].