Ten lepers cry out to Jesus for mercy. Ten hear His Word. Ten believe His promise and go on their way to the priests. Ten are cleansed.

But only one comes back.

The one who returns is the least likely of them all—a Samaritan, a foreigner, and a leper. The other nine receive the earthly blessing they wanted and continue on their way. The Samaritan returns to Christ, falls at His feet, and gives thanks.

Their cleansing was not defective. Their faith had not been false simply because they later fell away. But earthly blessings became enough for the nine. They wanted to be clean, restored to society, and accepted under the outward order of the Law. Only the Samaritan continued to cling to Christ.

So it remains in the Church. Many receive Baptism, hear God's Word, and come to the Lord's Supper, yet become satisfied with earthly ...