They all
stayed at the gate, hoping it wasn't for naught,
Nine watched
the road, both excited and fraught.
Glory be to
God, they'd heard He was coming that day
But One man
stayed back, to kneel and to pray.
Their lots
had been hard, cast out and forsaken
Not a one
had any friends, home or kin.
Their
disease had made life a living death
But these
ten men had new hope on their breath.
Around the
corner He came, His twelve learners in tow
The men
shouted for joy, they began to go.
Christ was
there, the stories were true
The One
stood and thought, "Is it really You?"
They rushed
to their knees, and sought His good graces;
The Healer
was touched, and beheld their scarred faces.
Together
they cried "Jesus Master, have mercy on us" ~
A crowd
started to gather, to see what was the fuss.
The ten knew
He was their only hope, this Godly man from Bethlehem.
With the
voice of a shepherd, He said unto them
"Go
shew yourselves unto the priests."
They then
ran off and Christ thought, "I hope one comes back at least."
The ten did
what He said, the priests bore witness ~
And the One
marveled, now free from his sickness.
Then nine of
them went on their way, all taking their bed
But the One
returned to Christ, many thoughts in his head.
The One came
forward, then fell on his face
He praised
the Lord for his abiding grace.
Jesus bid
him "Arise" and asked, "Were there not ten?"
"I know
not" the One replied, the only of the men.
The Savior
knowingly nodded, yet his joy was full ~
Christ said
to the One, "Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole."
In this
story we learn not only of a grateful man's new latitude,
