His Hands

I love the scripture story of Jesus Christ cleansing the ten lepers. There are many lessons we can learn from this experience. I would love to hear your insights. One of my favorites is when the leper who was healed returns to express his gratitude. I have always hoped that is the person I would have been. Recall with me this extraordinary account:

“And as [Jesus] entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
“And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”

One of my favorite parts is "as they went, they were cleansed." They believed and acted on that belief, then they were healed. Also significant, yet condemning is the question "but where are the nine?"

Figuratively speaking we are all lepers. Our imperfections and weaknesses make us unworthy to return to our Heavenly Father and abide in His kingdom. But the Lord Jesus Christ knows our circumstance and has wrought a miracle in our behalf to heal our wounds of sadness, loneliness, sorrow, weakness, and sin. Though we alone are unfit for the kingdom of God, He shares His perfection with us so we can realize this gift.

Also significant yet kindly condemning is the question "but where are the nine?" It causes us to reflect on what would we have done then in that situation and what we do now in similar circumstances.

Perfection comes not in this life but in the next. Yet we can be grateful now for what we have and what we are promised.

Because of the Savior, we endure joyfully to the end—every day of our lives.

And make our hands like those from Galilee.