After Jesus came down from the mountain, having delivered the powerful Sermon on the Mount, the first miracle recorded is His encounter with a leper.

“When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Matthew 8:1–3, NKJV)

This miracle isn’t just about physical healing. Leprosy in biblical times rendered a person ritually unclean and socially isolated. When Jesus healed the leper, He wasn’t just restoring his body—He was restoring his access to community and worship.

Then Jesus says, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matthew 8:4, NKJV)

Why the silence? Because Jesus wasn’t just there to perform wonders. He came for a deeper mission: to bring salvation, not celebrity. His ministry had to unfold according to the Father’s timeline, not be rushed by fame. The offering to the priest—likely two birds or a lamb as described in Leviticus 14—wasn’t just ritual, but a testimony of cleansing. It marked the man as clean in the eyes of the Law, just as Jesus marks us clean in the eyes of God.

The One Who Returned

Later in His ministry, Jesus healed ten lepers at once.

“And 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. And he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:15–16, NKJV)

Jesus responds,

“Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17–18, NKJV)

This Samaritan, an outsider by Jewish standards, was the only one to return and give thanks. How often do we receive from God but forget to return with gratitude? Healing and blessings are wonderful, but thankfulness is the response of a transformed heart. The Jews likely felt entitled to healing; the Samaritan knew it was grace.

His Mission Was Bigger

In Luke 4:21, Jesus declares in the synagogue, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” This moment sparks both awe and anger. Why? Because He proceeds to mention Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, and Naaman the Syrian—Gentiles whom God helped instead of Israelites.

“But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah… but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath… And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” (Luke 4:25–27, NKJV)

Jesus’ point? His mission wasn’t just for the Jews. It was universal, and that truth shook them.

Purpose Through Pain

Even the apostle Paul understood this. He writes in Philippians:

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, NKJV)

Paul knew his trials and coming death were part of a greater purpose: ministry. Until his final breath, he served Christ.

Later, he writes, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11, NKJV)

Gratitude, contentment, and purpose—these themes all thread through Jesus’ ministry and Paul’s letters. Jesus didn’t just come to heal bodies—He came to heal hearts, transform lives, and prepare us for eternal life.

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Are We Like the One Who Returned?

Are we thankful for what God gives us? Or do we take and forget to glorify the Giver? Jesus cleanses us, restores us, and calls us to a greater mission. Like Paul, may we say:

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14, NKJV)

Written by Jeyran Main

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