In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus is beginning his last, long journey to Jerusalem. In just a few short weeks, a crown of thorns would be thrust upon his head, a scourge would tear into his back, and a hammer would drive nails into his hands and feet. The condemning judgment of all the world’s sin would be placed upon him.
As Jesus heads south to Jerusalem, he comes to a village near the border between Galilee and Samaria. Just as he is about to enter the village, ten men suffering from leprosy call out to him from a distance.
In Jesus’ day, a person who suffered from leprosy was forced to live far away from family and friends and everyone else in leper colonies. There, the lepers slowly die an excruciating death.
St. Luke records Jesus’ encounter with ten lepers. “When [Jesus] entered a certain village, ten men with leprosy met him. Standing at a distance, they called out loudly, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ As they went away they were cleansed” (Luke 17:12-14).
These ten lepers who were healed had every reason to sing praises to their almighty God. They could have sung the first verse of our Hymn of the Day, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”
Verse one: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation! Let all who hear now to his temple draw near, joining in glad adoration!
After Jesus told the lepers to show themselves to the priest, all ten of the lepers left. Can you imagine what it must have been like as the lepers went to the priest? They notice their joints no longer hurt. Their skin clears up. Their voices return. They are healed. Can you see them pick up the pace and begin to run to the temple? They could have been singing verse two on their way to the temple.
Verse two: Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things is wondrously reigning and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining. Have you not seen how all that’s needful has been sent by his gracious ordaining?
But then one of the healed lepers stops in his tracks. He turns around and runs back the way he came, praising God in a loud voice. He falls at Jesus’ feet and thanks him. He could have sung a solo of verse three.
Verse three: Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully, wondrously, made you, health has bestowed and, when heedlessly falling, has stayed you. What need or grief ever has failed of relief? Wings of his mercy did shade you.
This lone leper didn’t make it to the priest. He could have been arrested for that, but he couldn’t help it. He had to go back to the source. He had to thank his Savior and God. And he was a Samaritan. He wasn’t even from the Jewish nation. He didn’t have the benefit of growing up in the Jewish worship and temple life. But boy was he thankful! He wanted everyone to see — everyone to hear — what God had done for him. He could have shouted verse four.
Verse four: Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you; surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do as with his love he befriends you.
Consider all the physical blessings, health, and healing your Lord Jesus has granted you in response to your pleas of “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me!” You recovered from a stroke. You underwent surgery to spare you from a massive heart attack. You had a hip or knee or heart valve replaced. You were cured after a long illness. Your life was spared after a horrific accident. At one time, you were destined for pain and misery like those ten lepers. But by God’s mercy, you were healed and made whole again.
Sing praises to God on your way to the temple. Sing praises to Jesus as you return to give him thanks. Praise God when you are in a crowd. Praise Jesus when you are singing solo. Whatever you do, whenever you can, however you have the ability, sing praises to the Lord.
Verse five: Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him! All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him! Let the amen sound from his people again; gladly forever adore him!