And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
On His last journey from Galilee toward Jerusalem through the country between Samaria and Galilee, He was met just outside a village by ten lepers standing afar off. They obeyed His command to go, their faith tested by that direction, and on their way were made entirely whole by divine power working a new creation in them, nine being Jews and one a Samaritan stranger. Only the Samaritan stranger returned to find Him and give glory to God, while the other nine accepted their healing without gratitude or praise. He healed all ten for the sake of that one, though He knew the rest would give no thanks, and that mercy lays a renewed obligation on those healed not to remain silent but to remember His kindness, give thanks, and glorify God. The mercy to the Samaritan and his gratitude taught that Christ's love extends to Samaritans, and because even one grateful soul is of such worth, workers for suffering souls should not become weary in well-doing from discouragement and apparent defeat.
Journey Toward Jerusalem
Jesus was on His last journey from Galilee toward Jerusalem, passing through the country and region between Samaria and Galilee, and it was on that traveling route toward Jerusalem that He met the ten lepers. On this journey the seventy were sent two and two before Him to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick, to proclaim His divine character as Messiah and to prepare the field for His final personal work. They were to depend on hospitality for support and to reach every person without regard to nation, caste, or position. Just on the outskirts of a certain village as He entered it, He was met by ten lepers standing afar off.
On this same route He received the poor and afflicted, while those who thought themselves righteous and in need of nothing rejected His word. The mercy shown to the Samaritan leper among the ten, and that leper's gratitude in returning alone to give thanks, taught the disciples that Christ's love extended to Samaritans. By this lesson they were prepared to take the gospel to people who had once been their enemies.
Healing and Grateful Response
The ten obeyed His direction to go, and that direction tested their faith. They acted at once without delay upon His word, willing to venture if there was any prospect of healing. The tones of His voice thrilled their hearts and filled them with hope and faith and confidence. On their way they knew that a great change had taken place in themselves and that they were healed.
All ten were healed, not merely cleansed of leprosy but made entirely whole, divine power working a new creation in them. Nine of them were Jews and one was a Samaritan stranger. Only that one stranger returned to find Him and give glory to God, while the other nine accepted their healing without expressing gratitude or praise. He healed all ten for the sake of that one, though He knew the rest would give no thanks and would return to the indulgences that bring disease.
The healing was mercy from God, and the one who receives it has a renewed obligation to the Creator. Hearts should not remain untouched or ungrateful for such mercy, nor should those healed remain silent, but they should remember His kindness, find Him, give thanks, glorify Him, and praise God for His benefits, His righteousness, and restored health. The return of the one is the example of that gratitude, and his faith and gratitude were rewarded, showing that mercies and healing call for praise and thanksgiving.
The nine correctly represent Sabbath-keepers who come as patients to the Health Institute. They receive much attention often at reduced prices or free of charge, yet they are the most difficult to manage, more free to make complaints and to question than any other class. They cause physicians unnecessary care and burdens and speak disparagingly to other patients of the means employed for recovery. The stranger represents worldlings and professed Christians of other denominations who appreciate the efforts made for their recovery and when they return to their homes exert an influence more in favor of the Health Institute than Sabbath-keepers do.
Because even one grateful soul is of such worth, workers for suffering souls should not cease their efforts from discouragement and apparent defeat. They should remember Christ their Pattern and not become weary in well-doing, but thank God and take courage if even one among a large number is grateful and exerts a right influence. He would have chosen His life of toil and humiliation and His death of shame to save even one soul who would accept the gospel of His grace. If one human being is uplifted and ennobled and fitted to shine in the courts of the Lord, there is cause for rejoicing.
On His last journey from Galilee toward Jerusalem through the country between Samaria and Galilee, He was met just outside a village by ten lepers standing afar off. They obeyed His command to go, their faith tested by that direction, and on their way were made entirely whole by divine power working a new creation in them, nine being Jews and one a Samaritan stranger. Only the Samaritan stranger returned to find Him and give glory to God, while the other nine accepted their healing without gratitude or praise. He healed all ten for the sake of that one, though He knew the rest would give no thanks, and that mercy lays a renewed obligation on those healed not to remain silent but to remember His kindness, give thanks, and glorify God. The mercy to the Samaritan and his gratitude taught that Christ's love extends to Samaritans, and because even one grateful soul is of such worth, workers for suffering souls should not become weary in well-doing from discouragement and apparent defeat.
Journey Toward Jerusalem
Jesus was on His last journey from Galilee toward Jerusalem, passing through the country and region between Samaria and Galilee, and it was on that traveling route toward Jerusalem that He met the ten lepers. On this journey the seventy were sent two and two before Him to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick, to proclaim His divine character as Messiah and to prepare the field for His final personal work. They were to depend on hospitality for support and to reach every person without regard to nation, caste, or position. Just on the outskirts of a certain village as He entered it, He was met by ten lepers standing afar off.
On this same route He received the poor and afflicted, while those who thought themselves righteous and in need of nothing rejected His word. The mercy shown to the Samaritan leper among the ten, and that leper's gratitude in returning alone to give thanks, taught the disciples that Christ's love extended to Samaritans. By this lesson they were prepared to take the gospel to people who had once been their enemies.
Healing and Grateful Response
The ten obeyed His direction to go, and that direction tested their faith. They acted at once without delay upon His word, willing to venture if there was any prospect of healing. The tones of His voice thrilled their hearts and filled them with hope and faith and confidence. On their way they knew that a great change had taken place in themselves and that they were healed.
All ten were healed, not merely cleansed of leprosy but made entirely whole, divine power working a new creation in them. Nine of them were Jews and one was a Samaritan stranger. Only that one stranger returned to find Him and give glory to God, while the other nine accepted their healing without expressing gratitude or praise. He healed all ten for the sake of that one, though He knew the rest would give no thanks and would return to the indulgences that bring disease.
The healing was mercy from God, and the one who receives it has a renewed obligation to the Creator. Hearts should not remain untouched or ungrateful for such mercy, nor should those healed remain silent, but they should remember His kindness, find Him, give thanks, glorify Him, and praise God for His benefits, His righteousness, and restored health. The return of the one is the example of that gratitude, and his faith and gratitude were rewarded, showing that mercies and healing call for praise and thanksgiving.
The nine correctly represent Sabbath-keepers who come as patients to the Health Institute. They receive much attention often at reduced prices or free of charge, yet they are the most difficult to manage, more free to make complaints and to question than any other class. They cause physicians unnecessary care and burdens and speak disparagingly to other patients of the means employed for recovery. The stranger represents worldlings and professed Christians of other denominations who appreciate the efforts made for their recovery and when they return to their homes exert an influence more in favor of the Health Institute than Sabbath-keepers do.
Because even one grateful soul is of such worth, workers for suffering souls should not cease their efforts from discouragement and apparent defeat. They should remember Christ their Pattern and not become weary in well-doing, but thank God and take courage if even one among a large number is grateful and exerts a right influence. He would have chosen His life of toil and humiliation and His death of shame to save even one soul who would accept the gospel of His grace. If one human being is uplifted and ennobled and fitted to shine in the courts of the Lord, there is cause for rejoicing.