The answer is: Priests

Luke 17:11-14

In Luke 17:11-14, we encounter a gripping narrative. Ten lepers, ostracized from society due to their condition, call out to Jesus, begging for mercy. What’s fascinating about this moment is not just the healing itself, but Jesus’s instructions. He sends them to the priests, and that might raise an eyebrow. Why the priests?

In ancient Israel, the priests held all the cards when it came to matters of health and impurity. According to Leviticus 14, if someone was healed of leprosy, they needed to be examined by a priest to officially declare them clean, which would allow them to reintegrate into society. So, Jesus isn’t merely healing them; He’s also restoring their place within the community.

Here’s where it gets intriguing: Out of the ten, only one returns to thank Jesus. This lone Samaritan—a member of a group generally marginalized by the Jews—demonstrates gratitude, symbolizing that even those outside traditional boundaries of faith can recognize divine goodness.

Moreover, it paints a broader picture of acceptance, highlighting themes of inclusion over exclusion. It echoes the inherent message of humanity, reminding us that empathy and gratitude should transcend societal divisions. The story also sets an early stage for Jesus's later teachings about what it means to be truly whole—not just clean, but restored in relational and spiritual terms too!