Turns out I haven’t finished with the 10 lepers yet. There’s just one more excuse I feel I could make for the 9 who never returned to thank Jesus. For you to judge whether it is more reasonable than all the previous ones suggested in part 1… or not. But one thing I assure you is that it’s going to be much more fun than all the other six or seven imaginary excuses in part 1. So hang on for the ride and enjo … hopefully!
This time I will be that fly in the midst of the 10 lepers after Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priest. On second thought, mae that a butterfly. I hate flies – but have you seen some butterflies???!!! Always makes me sing (although not always aloud) that song: O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy Hand hath made! So, butterfly it is, with pleasure.
One of the lepers (giving them names is somewhat beyond me right now. 10 is a sizeable number) said, “Hey, I feel an unusual tingling on my fingers”, and the others looked at the finger and saw that the part that had broken off because of the leprosy had been replaced! And they excitedly looked at their own fingers and saw the same thing had happened to them even if they didn’t feel the tingling! Then some touched their noses, and others bent to look at their toes, and they all started looking at each other, initially as part of expressing their amazement at what was happening, and immediately noticing the changes in the physiognomy of their companions! Can you just imagine the excitement! The butterfly saw it of course, but it was indescribable so you’ll just have to make up that part yourself.
After wild individual expressions of delight and tears of joy, they started hugging each other spontaneously screaming at the top of their voice: He did it! The Son of David! Deliverance has come for our nation! We shall rule the world! At that point, the one we know was a Samaritan declared in the loudest voice: He is truly the Messiah! Let’s go and thank Him!
Suddenly, there was silence. The 9 Jewish ex-lepers looked at the one who spoke. Paused. Then one spoke up: You may have a point there. But our priest has to confirm it first. And by the way, are you not a Samaritan? You cannot come with us to our temple. You will have to wait for us in the court of the gentiles. After confirming, we will come and tell you.
The Samaritan leper’s mouth was agape. Yes of course he had come to discover that this ex-leper used to be a priest until he became leprous. But he was shocked about how this man that he used to encourage in the days of their common suffering now spoke to him! He couldn’t even recognize his voice anymore. So controlled, right pitch, well modulated. Distant.
Still trying to recover from the shock, he spoke up boldly: From the priest!!! What else do you need? Is it not because you yourself said that you had seen him with your own eyes declare right there in the temple, what the Isaiah had prophesied about the Messiah that we all learnt chapter 61 verses 1-3: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord… to comfort all that mourn…
Is that not why we all agreed to cry out for his help whenever we were able to track him down? Did we not all just finish declaring in song that He has given us beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for heaviness… Did we not just give Him glory? So why are you suddenly talking about the need for confirmation from a priest? If you had doubts about His being the Messiah, why did you song this song with us? What has come upon you so suddenly?
After another brief silence, another leper spoke up: Look this man doesn’t know how to behave in a proper manner. Not really surprising since he is a mere Samaritan. We know better, don’t we? After all, He is one of us. Besides I hear he is mostly travelling in the Judea area so we will definitely run into Him again one time or the other. We can thank him then if the priest confirm that is who he is. Let’s not jump the gun.
At this point, another chipped in: In any case, was he not the one who told us to go show ourselves to the priests? My fellow compatriots let’s be obedient and wise. If we want to go back to enjoying the comfort of our home and family, and the security of our livelihoods, it is urgent that see the priests so that they can quickly certify our readmission into society.
Another ex-leper now added pensively: Well in that case, isn’t it better to see the members of our family first? That’s the only way we can get the lambs or doves to offer for the sacrifices that the priests will require.
By this time each of the 9 lepers had a reasonable contribution to make to the discussion. But nothing relating to going back to thank their Healer. This was quickly followed by heated arguments for all sides.
For some inexplicable reason, the 10 lepers who were once united in their suffering, divided after their deliverance. But we know who was really behind it all, don’t we? The ultimate father of lies; the Adversary’ the Lawless one, the author of confusion and division had succeeded again – with the full collaboration of the parties concerned, of course! The majority of whom had their heart fixed on the things of this world: position, title, possessions, social status, wealth, family, none of which none can take to meet their Creator. Mind you, they can all quote the scripture passages that warn against this approach to life. They all know the scripture stories of those who had done so to their destruction. And yet… and yet… Lord have mercy! Lord, protect us! Lord, defend us!
The butterfly has had enough. Imagination has ceased. Nothing more to say than that they all parted ways on this note. And each one did as he pleased.
The Samaritan stood his ground. No more inferiority complex for him. He had encountered and been blessed by the Messiah. He was sure it was Him because he had tasted of His great love, goodness, and supernatural power. And had confirmed the stories that flying around that He is not partial. He would show mercy to anyone who called upon Him, regardless of origin, social status, gender, age or what have you. He went back to thank Jesus… and was he exuberant in his thanksgiving! He threw himself at Jesus’ feet!! I bet that made our Lord smile… Indeed, as Psalm 22, verse 3 states, the Lord delights in the praises of His children.
Could you just imagine ten men doing this? I bet it would have made Jesus chuckle and laugh out loud! As the butterfly, I would have loved to see that… and try to describe it to you, beloved reader. But the other 9 robbed us of that pleasure.
Maybe they went to the priests, performed the sacrifice required, organized a special thanksgiving for their healing and reinsertion into the society and settled down to focus on their former priorities – financial security, social recognition, family approval, the rat race… Back to the past, blind to the future. They opted to keep their lives… to lose it.
As for this one Samaritan leper who dared to throw all caution to the winds in favour of thanking Jesus, he became a great and unforgettable channel of blessing to many in his lifetime, and generations after him. His action has taught and is still teaching us all loads of lessons about gratitude. I pray that you and I be recognized by our Lord and Saviour for this quality in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
So why don’t you just get down to him and start praising Him now?
THERE IS NO PART 3! 😉