Jesus helps people who need him

Jesus always felt sorry for people who were forced to leave their communities because they were sick or disabled. Sometimes these people were forced to become beggars. Jesus often helped them. Once, Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He and his disciples walked all the way from Galilee. On the way, they passed a small village where they saw ten men coming towards them. The men had a skin disease. In those days, people with this disease had to live apart from other people. They also had to warn people when they were near. Everyone stayed far away from them. The men came up to Jesus, and he didn’t walk away. They pleaded with him, “Jesus! Master! Please help us!” Jesus said, “Go to the priests. They will see that you are healed and allow you to go home.” When people were healed from a skin disease, they had to go to the priests. The priests looked at their skin to see if they were really healed. When the men turned away, they still had the disease. But they decided to go to the priests. On the way, a wonderful thing happened. They saw that they were healed. They were very excited. They immediately ran to the priest. They couldn’t wait to go home. One of the men was a Samaritan. When he saw that he was healed, he didn’t go with the others. He had something important to do first. He turned back to Jesus.

He praised God. Then he threw himself down at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. “Ten men were healed,” Jesus said, “but only one came back to thank me and praise God. And this man isn’t even a Jew. He is an outsider.” Jesus looked around and asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Why has only one returned to give praise to God?” Jesus was glad to see this man. He told him, “Go home now. Your faith has healed you.” Then Jesus and his disciples continued their journey to Jerusalem. On their way, they went through the city of Jericho. When they arrived, a big crowd gathered around Jesus. They wanted to see his miracles. A blind beggar was sitting by the side of the road. He heard the crowd going by. The people told him that Jesus was in the crowd.The blind man began to shout, “Jesus! Help me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the people to bring the man to him. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” the man said. Jesus healed his blindness immediately. Then the man followed Jesus, praising God all the way. When the other people saw the man and heard his words, they also praised God. Luke 17:11–19, 18:35–43