10 Lepers were good, faithful, long suffering people. How did they know when Christ was going to pass by this exact spot on his way to Jerusalem through Samaria and Galilee? And how long were they waiting? I would be surprised if they happened to walk up to the road only to see Christ in the far distance making his way toward them. Did they wait? I would venture yes. How long? Probably longer than they wanted.
Do we every have to 'wait' for our desired blessing? Probably longer than we want.
How long do we wait? As long as it would take like these 10 lepers? There was probably nothing else more important to these 10 than the healing they sought. They were willing to expend every energy and endure any hardship required to seek Jesus Christ and the blessing at his hands. How deep runs our desire, and accompanying effort, to seek after and obtain the desired blessing at the hands of Christ who is able to grant it?
Were there other lepers? The lepers in that day lived in colonies outside the city. So were there more than 10? Most likely. Where were the others? They probably heard the 10 speak of the Miracle Worker and the 10 lepers' desire to "try it out". They had heard stories of others being healed from their maladies but only 10 of them wanted to obtain the same blessing bad enough to go out and do something about it. They not only heard the stories, but believed. So they were among the more faithful. (Side note: how do you think the ones left behind, who didn't follow the 10, felt when their fellow bunk mates never returned? Did they curse their unbelief? Were they mad or jealous that their former friends were now freed while they were doomed to a continued, no-end-in-sight life in pain and lonesomeness? I would venture a guess that at least 1 or 2 of them were angry that they didn't at least "experiment on the word").
The story of the 10 lepers is about gratitude. Sure. But there is more to it than returning to give thanks to God for our blessings received. And I think the story is concerning the small group of people--any faithful person-- that has already shown the degree of their professed faith. It's not a sweeping representation of the majority. It's pointed to a few. The ones who read about, hear stories from friends, watch videos on YouTube about people who have received grace....and then seek the same gesture to descend into their own life. It's about the small percentage.
Faith led 10 to receive a wonderful blessing. But something more, a higher degree of faith leading to something more elevated--gratitude, was found in the one leper. He was more faithful. (Proverbs 14:9; Alma 9:20; Luke 1:28; Genesis 39:21...there's a difference between good people and those who are even more than good-they are different-they find favor. There's probably something just beyond a blanket expression of faithfulness. I think it leads to gratitude. President Monson has spoken on gratitude a lot. And it would seem that he is pushing for something of significance if he takes the time to talk to the membership of the Church about this attribute. It leads us to a higher ground. To an increased level of faith. Beyond the obtaining of something good, but a return to recognition and expression of admission to the source of all good.)
So, now, after we establish that faith, first, is required and faith leads us to obtain mercy, grace, blessings, healings....and gives us cause for a celebration of some sort!...we are not all done.
Christ is concerned with what happens afterward as well.
On Christmas morning, we don't unwrap all gifts, jump up and down, and run to our bedrooms to play all day with the door closed. We look back to the giver and smile, put our hands around their neck and say "Thanks". And what are the 'Givers' feelings at that moment? So, too, is our God. Happy to bless, and even happier when we return to say, "Thank you. I have been wanting this for awhile. I am so glad you gave this to me. This will help me. This will make me happy. I will enjoy this gift."
I have probably been "gifted" patience when I asked, but forgot to turn around and say Thanks.
I was probably granted forgiveness and I didn't return and say thank you so much. I am now happier.
I most likely received health, inspiration, peace, direction....but, like the 90% of the faithful in desperate need of a blessing received, I failed to return.
My faith could be strengthened like the 1 leper's. He did something different.
I'd like to be different.
