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