Sometimes We Just Don’t Recognize God When We See Him

The Gospel tells a story of Ten Lepers who approached Jesus for healing. “And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17.14) In the moment they left Jesus, following His command to go show themselves to the priests, they were totally healed of their disease. You might think that they would at least thank Him, but only “one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks.” (Luke 17.15-16) But the remaining nine went on their way, presumable to the show themselves to the priests.

 

These nine men, although they considered Jesus strong enough to heal them, did not consider Him worthy to their gratitude. These nine men, who were so interested in being healed, forgot to look at Christ with their hearts and recognize Him as God. These nine men were seeking healing and they received it from God Himself but they didn’t recognize Him.

 

One foreigner, a Samaritan, was seeking God in his heart and realized it was God who healed him. Jesus said, “Were there not any found who turned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17.18) One foreigner, had faith enough to see God, while the other nine saw only their own bodies.

 

God blesses all ten lepers, as He blesses each of us, but only those who are looking for God in their heart will recognize Him. Are you looking for Him?