THE GRATEFUL LEPER

Read the story a few times slowly. Notice what emotions arise within you as you read it. If you find it helpful, journal about how the story makes you feel.

Luke 17:11-19 Living Bible (TLB)

11 As they continued onward toward Jerusalem, they reached the border between Galilee and Samaria, 12 and as they entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, sir, have mercy on us!”

14 He looked at them and said, “Go to the Jewish priest and show him that you are healed!” And as they were going, their leprosy disappeared.

15 One of them came back to Jesus, shouting, “Glory to God, I’m healed!” 16 He fell flat on the ground in front of Jesus, face downward in the dust, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a despised Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the nine? 18 Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?”

19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

Read the poem below. Feel free to read it multiple times or even out loud if that helps.

On my face

In the dust

How did I get here?

I was healed

How was I healed?

I was traveling

In one direction

And met Jesus

On the way

He told me

To turn around

Towards

The home of

My enemy

And as I went

I was healed

It was there

On the road

Walking

Side-by-side

With those

I thought

Hated and

Despised me

That I found

My healing

In my joy

I turned again

Towards Jesus

I ran to Him

When I saw Him

I was undone

I fell down

Into the dust

On my face

I was

Unprotected

Unguarded

On my face

In the dust

My gratitude

Spilled

Into worship

Some might say

A posture of

Desolation

But for me

A posture of

Freedom

Of trust

In Jesus

And His companions