A Loud Thank You From An Unlikely Source

By Scott K. Miller

December 1, 2025

Luke 17:15-16 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God… giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

It was a grave situation for these ten lepers. Leprosy meant certain death as well as separation from others in society.  Themselves unnamed, they lived in an unnamed village—outcasts.

Somehow, they learned that the Rabbi of Nazareth was passing through their village. “Could He perhaps help us?”  they wondered. Standing “afar off” they cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  Notice that this miserable lot did not cry for healing. No, they simply pled for mercy; they knew that they had no hope otherwise. 

Jesus saw them and His compassionate heart commanded: “Go, show yourselves unto the priests.” (Remember, at this point they were still lepers. Only those healed of leprosy showed themselves to the priest in order to be declared clean.) 

By faith in the Master’s words, they obediently turned and, in that moment, each was made completely whole! One—a Samaritan—was perhaps the first to notice the miracle of healing in his flesh. Delight arose in his heart and praise energetically poured forth from his lips to God! “Hallelujah!” he shouted as he returned, falling at the Master’s feet in thankfulness.  The man who had stood afar off was now able to draw nigh to the Master for he was made whole! A Samaritan was brought nigh to the Jewish Saviour! Glory to God!

Once you and I were without Christ, aliens…strangers…having no hope, and without God in this world (Eph. 2:12). Like those lepers, we were afar off. However, one day someone told us about the Master’s love, and we cried out, “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, I believe.” 

On the basis of His atoning work, a full pardon made us completely whole! No longer afar off, we are made nigh by the blood of Christ!

Reflection—Those who have been forgiven much, love much; and they loudly proclaim it!