It was a terrible
condition.
The
disease which isolated its victims didn’t travel alone, for the mention of the
word brought fear, dread, and despair. As soon as the first white patches
appeared on the skin, terror swept through the unfortunate and his entire
family. Leprosy.
The
leper was sent away, forever, without a kiss, a handshake, a hug, or even a pat
on the back. No touching allowed. In addition, the leper was to tear his
clothes, leave his hair unkempt, cover
the lower part of his face, and should he ever come near the healthy, he was to
cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” Doomed to a miserable existence difficult to call
a life, lepers were forced to dwell outside of the community.
Enter
Jesus.
Ten
lepers saw Him. Despite their instructions, their past shouts of “Unclean!” and
their present condition, they “called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have
pity on us!’” (Luke 17:13.)
Jesus
said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests,” and the lepers had enough faith in Jesus
that they began to walk toward the priests. They knew that Jesus was their only
hope and in their desperation, they didn’t stop and question His instructions.
They obeyed and were healed on the way.
What
a scene that must have been! Ten men suddenly realizing that they would no
longer be forced to live shunned and among the diseased. But the Bible only
records the actions of one man. Before returning to his family and running into
his now bright future, the grateful man went back to Jesus, bowed in worship to
the One Who changed everything, and thanked Him.
“Jesus asked, ‘Were
not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?’” (Luke 17:15-17)
This
Thanksgiving, I want to follow in the steps of the grateful leper. I want to be
the one to return to Jesus and thank Him for all He has done. My personal
challenge is maintain continual appreciation and live with an attitude of
gratitude.
Now
that’s a wonderful condition.
Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.
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