Luke 17: 15-18 

 I find it scandalous that out of the ten only one had the decency and the presence of the mind to return and give thanks for this mind-boggling healing intervention. Now, I find myself wondering if I would have been the one or would I have been numbered and classified as one of the ungrateful nine. Surely, this passage indicates to us again the truth that the majority isn’t always right, and before we are influenced by the majority opinion, we certainly need to think things over for ourselves and then make the deliberate, conscientious effort to do that which is right, even when we are outnumbered and not popular. 

 The fact that they did not see the need to return and enthusiastically express praise for having their lives so dramatically and drastically turned around in an instant – was so wrong! How could we ever get so busy and preoccupied with our new–found joy of literally having our lives turned around, that we could ever forget to turn around and deliberately show extreme gratitude! This is not only staggering. It is unnatural! They went on about their lives as if nothing had happened! 

 To think that their lives were basically over. As a result of their leprosy, they could no longer interact with family, friends, loved ones, and the rest of society in any meaningful way. They were literally quarantined, decimated, ostracized by this loathsome and incurable disease. They were cut off from normal society as Luke attempts to describe for us “. . . there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off” (v12). They stood afar off and cried out for mercy and Jesus ever so graciously responded and effectively spoke healing and restoration over their lives. 

 The author is keen to point out “And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed” (v14). In His compassionate mercy He, the Master, healed all ten of them. They came as a group for healing. They experienced healing as a group. It must have been explosive, astounding, spectacular, life-changing indeed! 

 However, the shock and pathos of the passage is revealed when our author startlingly discloses “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God” (v15). Church, can you believe it – And one returned to give God the glory! Just one! The least expected! The stranger! The Samaritan! He was the only one that had the decency, the courtesy, the good sense, the humility to come back with the gift of praise, the proper response for such a sensational act of grace extended. May God help us! 

 I just like how it is stated, “. . . he . . . turned back, and with a loud voice – glorified God. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks” (v16). Honestly, that’s where we deserve to be – on our face at his feet, giving Him thanks. Jesus revealingly states “. . . were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger” (vv 17,18). I earnestly want to be that one! Don’t you? The One that turned back to have a praise fest! Even with a loud voice, I must celebrate Him! The majority isn’t always right! Let us be that One!