Recipient of His Mercy

"Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice"

Luke 17:15

We read from verse 11 that on the way to Jerusalem Jesus 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.” 

Have Mercy on us ! Mercy ! Webster's dictionary defines mercy as "compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender" . Lepers in those days were considered unclean and were kept away from the city. So here are these ten lepers who see Christ and they are pleading "Jesus, Master have mercy on us." They know there's nothing they can do or that they are that entitles them of Jesus's attention, so they plead for mercy. We read that when Jesus 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."

The Samaritan when he saw that he was healed turned back and praised him with a loud voice and fell at Jesus's feet and gave thanks. This person had received the same healing as the others. What was the difference ? His heart was conscious of the fact that all he had received he did not deserve, but yet it had been graciously showered upon him.

Jesus said to him," Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well". The literal meaning for the word "well" in this context is "saved" (same Greek verb) . It was more than a physical healing. It was inward transformation.

Lets take a moment to reflect upon the gracious love and mercy that God continues to shower upon us... none of which we deserve but yet He having loved us, having called us His own, having paid the price on the cross for us and redeemed us , as our Father showers His mercy upon us. May our hearts forever be lifted up in gratefulness to the one who deserves it all.

God Bless