(Mini Bible Story) The Story of Ten Lepers

                                            

(1) a story based on Luke 17:11-19

   When Jesus and his disciples entered a village, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

   Jesus looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." That meant they would be healed, and it did really happen. As they moved on, their leprosy disappeared.  

   When they realized the miracle, they shivered and shouted.

   "Look at this! Oh, my God!"
   "Is this real? Isn't it a dream?"

   All healed. Ten of the lepers shouted, jumped, and hugged. The person at the front said to all the others, "Let's return to Jesus and give thanks."
   All nodded except one.
   He shook his head. He had been from Jerusalem. So, he had a vast knowledge of Jerusalem.

   He said, "Listen to me. Are you all sure this comes from Jesus?"

   The person at the front retorted. "What are you talking about? Just after Jesus said, we got well. That's the fact."

   "Yes, it's true. But it could be just a coincidence."  
   "???"
   "I mean, we need to cool down. First of all, we have to look after ourselves. I heard something from Jerusalem.  Jesus is not associated with the great priest. Think! When we go to the priests, they will surely ask us what happened. Do you think they like to hear the name of Jesus over this miracle? They won't send us back home."

   All the people were terrified. 'What if I cannot go home?' It was something they didn't even want to imagine. They took a backward step.   

   But the person at the front was in a firm position.    
   "I don't mind what the priests think about Jesus. What matters to me is Jesus healed me. I will return to Jesus right now." 
   He was a Samaritan, who was despised by the Israelites. He went back to Jesus and shouted, "Praise God, I'm healed!"

   He fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. 

Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten people? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?"

   And Jesus said to the Samaritan, "Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well."  

(2) sharing

   Psalms 50:23 says, "But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God."

   It's just the same as what Jesus said to the Samaritan. "Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?"

   The Samaritan was offering the worship of giving thanks to Jesus. That faith saved him. Let's remember. A heart of giving thanks is a heart of faith.