As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him Luke 17:12 NASB
The first detail we’re given about these men is that they stood at a distance. Why? Leprosy meant banishment from society, including family and friends. Lepers were shunned because it was such a horrific disease that no one wanted to risk being infected by coming in contact with the leper. Those who were sick tended to hang with each other on the outskirts of the village.
And they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Luke 17:13 NASB
All ten wisely cried out to Jesus. They had, no doubt, heard of Jesus power to heal, and I imagine even the sight of Him coming toward their village filled them with more hope than they had experienced in a very long time!
When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. Luke 17:14 NASB
It was a simple command Jesus had given them to follow, and as they obeyed, they were healed. It’s often the case, that we don’t experience the power of Jesus in our lives until we take the first steps toward obedience.
Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16 NASB
At the start of this account, all ten men were standing at a distance from Jesus; but now, this one, who had the wisdom to turn back, was close to Jesus, laying at His feet, thanking Him and glorifying God in a loud voice! It’s a Biblical principal that when we draw near to God, He draws near to us. The invitation to be close to Him is always open. If you are distant today, I encourage you to do what this leper did. Cry out to Jesus! And when He touches you, come and fall at His feet in surrender and gratitude!
Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:17-19 NASB
I shudder to think of all the times God has touched my life and I’ve neglected to turn back and fall at His feet in gratitude. I, like the other nine, have been guilty of accepting the blessing of God, then going on with my life, and my activities, without drawing any closer to God. What has God done in your life lately? Can you see His hand a work? Can you identify specific times He has shown you favor? Has it caused you to turn back, to sit at His feet, to glorify God, or have you accepted His blessing and continued on without really acknowledging His goodness to you?
Only the foolish stay at a distance.