Dare to Be like the One of Ten Lepers

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Friday, October 23, 2026

Today's Text: Luke 17:11-19

Key Verses: Luke 17:15-16 (KJV) - "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."

On the border between Samaria and Galilee, ten lepers stood afar off and lifted up their voices, crying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Leprosy had made them outcasts, isolated from family, temple, and community, bound together only by their common pain. Jesus sent them, saying, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. An action forbidden except they were already cleansed of their leprosy. But becauae they had great faith in the One who said so, they turned at once. And as they went, they were cleansed. The healing came on the way of obedience. But something more striking happened after the healing. Nine went on to the priests, to their restoration, and to their families. Only one turned back to the Priest of priests. Only one remembered that the gift should lead back to the Giver. He was a Samaritan, a double outcast by disease and by race, the least likely to return, yet he became the only one who came back loudly praising God, threw himself at Jesus' feet, and gave thanks. God is still looking for the one who will return. Dare to be the one.

The nine lepers were not ungrateful in the ordinary sense; they were just like man Christians today, simply satisfied with the blessing and forgot the Blesser. They received the miracle but missed the encounter. The one leper teaches us that gratitude is not a feeling; it is a deliberate turn. The Bible says, when he saw that he was healed, he turned back. He interrupted his journey to the priest to return to the Priest. He understood that getting cleansed in the body was not enough; he needed to be whole at the feet of Jesus. Many people pray desperately when they are in need, but after the answer comes, they continue on their way. Gratitude says, I will not just go to show my healing; I will go back to show my thanks. Dare to be the one who turns back, who does not allow answered prayer to become the end of fellowship.

His gratitude was loud, lowly, and personal. With a loud voice he glorified God. He did not keep quiet or whisper his thanks. The same mouth that once cried afar off for mercy now cried near for thanksgiving. He fell down on his face at His feet. Leprosy had taught him to stand afar off; gratitude brought him face-down up close. His worship was not casual; it was costly, humble, and public,vthereby traching generations lessons of character. And Jesus noticed. Where are the nine? were not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. God keeps count of thanksgiving. The Church is full of those who ask; but heaven is looking for those who return to give thanks. Dare to be the one who praises loudly, bows lowly, and clings closely, even when others move on.

Notice what happened to the one who returned. The nine were cleansed; the one was made whole. To be cleansed denotes being rid of the physical affliction or ritual defilement of leprosy; while being made whole goes beyond physical removal of illness to encompass total restoration—including the mind, soul, emotions, and spirit. Jesus said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Cleansing touched his skin, but wholeness touched his soul. Gratitude does not just acknowledge the miracle; it receives the Miracle-worker Himself. The nine received a new skin; the one received a new standing - whole, saved, complete. The Greek word there is sozo, to be saved, delivered, preserved. Ingratitude may still receive blessings, but gratitude receives more of Christ. Dare to be like the one of ten Samaritan lepers: to be the one who does not just take from God's hand, but falls at His feet, the one whose thanksgiving becomes the doorway to wholeness.

Action Steps: Take ten minutes today to deliberately turn back. Make a list of ten recent mercies, answers, or deliverances you have received. Like the one leper, go back to Jesus with a loud voice. Do not pray a silent, hurried thank you; praise Him audibly, specifically, and at His feet. Identify one person who was an instrument of your healing or help and give them a specific word of thanks today. Refuse to be among the nine who forget. Choose to be the one who remembers, who returns, and who remains grateful even for grace you once thought you would never receive.

Quote for the Day: "Many ask God for mercy when they are broken; the grateful one returns to give glory when he is made whole." - (Simon Olatunji #quotablequotes)

Let Us Pray: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have been among the nine, quick to ask and slow to return with thanks. Today I choose to be the one. I turn back to You with a loud voice to glorify You. Thank You for cleansing, for mercy, for answered prayers I did not deserve. I fall at Your feet in deep gratitude, for You have not only touched my body but saved my soul. Give me a thankful heart that never forgets Your benefits. Let my life be a continual thanksgiving, loud in praise, low in humility, and close at Your feet. Make me whole as I give thanks - in Jesus' most glorious name. Amen.

_____________________

Thank you for threshing the Word with me today. For further study on this topic, please read: Luke 17:11-19; Leviticus 13:45-46; Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 107:8,15,21,31; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 2:6-7.

With all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

Send | Share | Subscribe | Support