While Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, He met ten men who were afflicted with leprosy (Luke 17:11-12). These men pleaded with Jesus: “Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:13).
Evidently, these men had some reason to believe that Jesus could help them. By this point, reports of His miracles would have spread throughout the region. So after hearing about Jesus, they appealed to Him for help.
Jesus instructed them to “show [themselves] to the priests,” and as they went, “they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). All ten of these men surely rejoiced at this. However, only one “returned to give glory to God,” and he was a Samaritan (Luke 17:16-18). Though the Jews generally looked down upon the Samaritans, this man was to be commended for recognizing the power and grace of God and praising Him for it.
Jesus told this man, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19), which seems to imply something more than merely being healed of leprosy (the other men received that). There is another more serious plague upon mankind – sin – and this man was healed because of his faith. His example is one we need to follow.
So give glory to God. He has provided forgiveness of sins through Christ, yet we must not take this for granted. Instead, let us recognize the great gift that this is and continually praise God for it.