Daily Devotions
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Luke 17:11-19 – On the way to Jerusalem He was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
I find it interesting that these ten lepers are apparently going around together, even though nine of them are Jews and one is a Samaritan. Apparently their mutual suffering has managed to break down the walls of prejudice that would normally separate them! Which is a good thing.
And together they meet Jesus—who immediately adds a complication by saying, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” Which priests? Because the whole point of the Samaritan-Jewish divide was that the Samaritans had set up a religious establishment of their own, away from Jerusalem—separate priests, separate temple, even a separate form of the Bible!
That must have been a test for the Samaritan man. Should he go with the others to Jerusalem? That would be humbling. It would look like he was admitting that his own people were on the wrong side of that conflict. On the other hand, Jesus is clearly a Jew, and He must mean for them to go to the Jewish priests. What sensible man is going to endanger his own healing by not following directions?
So he goes with the others. And then the whole problem becomes academic, because suddenly, they are healed! The man is overjoyed. He turns back to thank Jesus—never mind that He’s a Jew! Never mind that He’s given him a difficult task! The man is just grateful. And he praises God.
And Jesus, in kindness, says to him, “Rise and go your way.” It looks like he doesn’t have to go to Jerusalem any longer. His faith in Jesus, his willingness to follow—that is enough. He has Jesus, and that is enough. He can go home.
That’s true for us, too, isn’t it? We have Jesus. We may come from many different backgrounds, and many conflicts may cause trouble between us. But Jesus, who suffered and died to make us God’s children—yes, and who rose again, to live forever!—He is enough for us all. Jesus is enough for us, for He is our peace and our life forever.
WE PRAY: Dear Savior, when we are in conflict, keep our eyes on You. You are our Healer. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- What groups do you belong to? With what other groups are they in conflict?
- How does pride get in the way of healing our conflicts?
- How can Jesus bring unity and healing to people who are on different sides?
Today's Readings:
Hosea 9-11Romans 15:14-33