Leprosy was a skin disease that caused a ton of discrimination, lost limbs, and painful experiences. It showed up as white spots and stole the sense of touch in fingers, toes, and eyes—so things like burns, scratches, or smashes go unnoticed.
Leprosy was also highly contagious, and they did a lot to keep it from spreading. Any leper was pushed out of the city, separated from everyone they knew. Think Bible-times quarantine. If anyone got close, they had to yell at the top of their lungs: “Unclean! Unclean!” They were never allowed inside the city. They were never allowed with anyone that didn’t have leprosy. They lived lonely, painful lives while the disease ate them alive.
The people of that time considered diseases to be the fault of whoever had them.
Blind, deaf, or missing a leg, the only question was: “What sin did you or your parents commit?”
While you could probably say we are all sinners, the people saw diseases as judgment for sin.
Leprosy was the same way. It said, “I’m a sinner.”
1. The Lepers’ Faith
Why all this talk about leprosy?
Well, Luke 17:11–19 shares about ten lepers. They were probably of all different backgrounds—Jews and Samaritans, wealthy merchants and other filthy beggars. Their leprosy brought them outside the cities and into each other’s company.
Jesus wandered past.
They were supposed to call, “Unclean! Unclean!”
Instead, they cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (v.13)
They appealed directly to Jesus, using His title, and recognizing His sovereignty. They pleaded as a group rather than as individuals.
Not afraid or shy, the ten lepers used loud voices as they called to Jesus. They were used to begging for help, but this was different. They were asking for healing.
2. The Lepers’ Action
Jesus gave them a command.
He told them to enter the city and show themselves to the priests. He told them to do the one thing that caused social discrimination, combats the people’s views, could potentially hurt everyone, and that they hadn’t been allowed to do for years.
And He didn’t explain that He’d heal them if they did it. He simply told them to do something hard and didn’t give any sort of explanation.
They didn’t hesitate.
As they went, they were healed. As they obeyed, they received the blessing they’d requested. As they did as commanded, as they went against social constructs, as they went to break the rules but also to be healed, God performed a miracle.
God usually doesn’t give upfront payment for our faith, our works, or our knowledge. He waits until we’ve been faithful in our work. So if you’re in a rough patch, consider how He’s preparing to bless you in the future.
3. The Leper’s Praise
The men shared a lot of similarities. They were all lepers, they all believed Jesus could do something about it, and they all took action. They were also all healed of their bodily infirmities.
Only one returned to acknowledge Jesus. Only one praised Him. Only one had that humble love not many possess. (v.15–19)
And only one was healed of his spiritual disease—sin.
That extra special person? He was a Samaritan (v.16), meaning that he had no business thanking a Jew. He was grateful and willing to put everything on hold—his family, friends, job, livelihood, and hobbies—to be in humble adoration of his Savior.
How are you like the tenth leper?
After all, we all suffer from the disease of sin. Jesus offers a way—and you can remain silent or cry out to Him. Which do you choose?
He will heal you. And once He does, you can return to Him again and again in humble adoration.
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