The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” 

To put it plainly, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along. The idea that Jesus would heal any lepers was miraculous during this time. The idea that Jesus would heal a Samaritan leper? Blasphemous. After all, wasn’t Jesus the messiah of the Jews and the Jews alone? As usual, Jesus goes out of his way to move/challenge us beyond any box we try to put him in. By healing a Samaritan leper, we see Jesus breaking religious and nationalistic ideals of who he is supposed to be, or the expectations others had placed on him.

Q. When is the last time Jesus surpassed your expectations of him?

As lepers, the men would have been seen as unclean sinners, left outside of religious life and unable to participate in religious ceremonies. People would have avoided them at all costs. As someone with leprosy, they had every reason to be hesitant to come up to others, let alone ask for a favor. 

Q. What types of people would make you uncomfortable to worship with?

God, you have extended your healing grace to all people, and you have reached out to those our culture have branded as others. May I be reminded of your mercy and grace. Grant me the eyes to see the blessings You provide, And hearts of gratitude, never to hide from those that you have called me to love. Teach me to return, like the thankful one.

Amen.