(Read Luke 17:11-19)

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:15-16)

This account of the ten lepers is a picture of misery and suffering, yet it is transformed into the beauty of people made whole by the compassion and power of our Lord. In the center of the view is the one cleansed leper who returned to give Him thanks.

These ten lepers “stood afar off” as they were pronounced unclean by their society. The Scripture tells us, they “lifted up their voices.” Leprosy often made the affected person’s voice hoarse and sometimes they could hardly speak above a whisper. We are told that Jesus “saw” them and spoke to them, instructing them to go to the priests. It is noteworthy that they were cleansed or made whole before they came to the priest. It is remarkable, yet characteristic of human beings, that only one returned to thank Him! In ordinary mathematics, only 10 percent! However this one is an example and inspiration to all that have been helped by the Saviour. As has been said, “One sorrow hides many joys” and “some of us can see no blue in our sky if one small cloud is there.” Conversely, we are often hindered from seeing a great blessing because of our many problems. This one leper stands out from all lepers. Nothing more is recorded of the other nine. In fact, Jesus said, “Where are the nine?”

It is interesting and enlightening to read that this thankful one, “with a loud voice glorified God.” His voice, that once was a whisper, could now in full force and resonance, speak glory to God. In fact, that is what it really amounted to, giving glory to God. Jesus said in verse 18:

“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”

In the latter end of this wonderful passage we find our Lord performing the greatest of all miracles when He said:

“Arise, go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.”

He has now received something far greater than the cure from leprosy. He has been “made whole.” He had “heard” God’s Word, and his life immediately took on a new dimension. He no longer was an outcast. He no longer was afflicted and separated by leprosy. He was now “free” to move about using his new voice and life for the One who loved him, cleansed him, and saved him! Was he ever thankful!

How thankful are we who have been made whole by the completed work of Christ on Calvary? We should return to Him every hour and give Him thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me,
Thy great salvation so rich and free.