Jesus was on his way to
Jerusalem. (Show strip 1 with the figure of Jesus, cover the rest of
the figures, picture #3.) Suddenly, He heard some people crying in a
loud voice, "Jesus! Help us! We are suffering!"
These people had leprosy.
(Lift up strips 2 and 3 so that the lepers are looking at Jesus,
picture #4.) They did not dare come closer to Jesus because of their
sickness, so they tried to draw His attention by crying out.
Leprosy is a very severe
contagious disease. The skin of a person sick with leprosy is covered with
sores and wounds. Such people were usually sent out of the cities and
villages so that no one would catch the disease from them. The lepers had
to leave their homes, families, relatives and friends and go who knows
where. Their life was not easy!
Jesus came to those poor
people and said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." What a strange
order that was! At that time a leper could address a priest only if he had
completely recovered. Then the priest would announce that person cleansed,
and he would then need to bring a sacrifice to the Lord. But these people
were still sick when Jesus told them to do that. Yet they went on their
way to the priest. (Turn strips 2 and 3 at 180 degrees. The lepers
will look like they are leaving Jesus.) On their way the lepers noticed
that their skin was completely clean, and all of their wounds were gone.
How happy they were, finally their separations from their loved ones had
come to an end. And they hurried to their families.
But all of a sudden one of
the lepers stopped. "I can't leave like this, without saying 'thanks' to
Jesus!" he thought to himself and turned back. (Turn strip 2 at 180
degrees so that the 1st leper would face Jesus, picture #5.) He was
happy, he gave praises to God. Jesus asked him, "Were not all ten
cleansed?" "All of them were, my Lord." answered the man who had been
healed. "Where are the other nine? Why didn't they give praise to God for
their healing? Go home! Your faith has made you well," said Jesus to the