As an adult I found myself intrigued by the Harry Potter series. In it, witches or wizards whose parents are Muggles (ordinary people) are a genetic phenomenon. The series carries a strong theme of prejudice against those who are not full-blooded wizards.
A similar prejudice existed in Jesus’ day. The exact reasons behind the animosity between Jews and Samaritans have been lost to history, but the New Testament gives ample evidence of ethnic tension (see, for example, John 4:9; 8:48). Whether motivated by questions over ancestry or religious practice, a number of Jews treated Samaritans as outsiders. Some would even say they resented them.
In today’s scripture, we follow Jesus “going through the region between Samaria and Galilee,” which tells us that the Samaritan leper is not far from home. Jesus does not brush off these men as unclean lepers or treat them as second-class human beings. He heals them. Jesus does not reserve his healings for a special group; he responds to those who approach him in faith. While Jesus heals all the lepers, the Gospel of Luke emphasizes the faith of the one who returns. His faith makes him well.
Wherever we find ourselves in our faith journey, Jesus will respond if we reach out in faith. His actions challenge us to inspect our attitudes toward others. And in practicing the humility that allows us to consider others better than ourselves, we may be surprised at where and in whom we find great faith. Those outside our Christian circles might seem unlikely witnesses but often exhibit God’s redemptive work in bold ways.
When have you considered yourself better than others? When has your faith made you well?