Gather 'round, kids! Today, we're going to explore a wonderful story from the Bible, the story of the Ten Lepers. This tale is found in Luke 17:11-19, and it's a great example of gratitude, faith, and the power of saying "thank you". Let's dive in!
Who Were the Ten Lepers?
Once upon a time, there were ten men who had a serious skin disease called leprosy. In those days, people with leprosy had to live far away from others to prevent spreading the disease. They were very sad and lonely, and they needed help.
Meeting Jesus
One day, these ten lepers saw Jesus walking by. They knew that Jesus had the power to heal people, so they called out to Him from a distance, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" (Luke 17:13). They were hoping that Jesus would heal them and make them clean again.
Jesus' Miraculous Gift
Jesus heard their cries and told them to go and show themselves to the priests. In those times, priests were the ones who could declare someone clean from leprosy. As the ten men obeyed Jesus and started walking towards the priests, something amazing happened. They were healed! Their skin became smooth, and they were no longer sick.
One Man Returns
Out of the ten men, one of them realized that he had been healed. He was so happy that he turned back to find Jesus. This man was a Samaritan, which means he was from a group of people who didn't get along well with the Jews. But Jesus loved him just the same.
The Power of Gratitude
The man found Jesus and fell on his face, thanking Him for his healing. He was so grateful that he couldn't help but show his appreciation. Jesus was amazed. He said, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:17-18)
Jesus' Response
Jesus then told the man, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:19) Even though all ten men were physically healed, it was the one man's faith and gratitude that made him truly well. He was not only healed on the outside but also on the inside, in his heart.
Lessons from the Ten Lepers
So, kids, what can we learn from the story of the Ten Lepers?
- Faith: Like the ten lepers, we should have faith that Jesus can help us, no matter what our problem is.
- Gratitude: Just like the one man who returned to thank Jesus, we should always be grateful for the good things we receive.
- Everyone is important: Even though the nine other lepers didn't return, Jesus still cared about them. He noticed that one was missing and asked about him. This shows us that everyone is important to God.
So, let's remember the story of the Ten Lepers and strive to have faith, be grateful, and love everyone, just like Jesus does.