I wrote this poem several years ago, but updated it and used it in a sermon I preached this past weekend. A few folks have asked for it, so here it is. It is based on the story of the ten lepers Jesus healed in Luke 17:11-19.
Ten lepers walked the city streets,
and stopped to hear the preacher preach
So close to death, all pride was stripped,
Nothing to lose; so those with lips
Called, “Jesus, help us out a bit?”
“Go, show yourselves unto the. priests,”
He said, they scattered, west to east
Their skin, with cleansing fire burned
Ten lepers left, but one returned.
Once, the question came to mind, “What happened to the other nine?”
And though I claim no revelation—this is nothing more than speculation
I offer you this testament
To where the other lepers went.
First, there’s Leper Number One
Who took off in an all out run.
Her feet, now free from open sores
Ran like they’d never run before.
Poor old leper number Two
Had no idea what he should do.
So, scarred from years of being shunned
Went home, locked up, and saw no one.
Then there’s leper Number Three
For whom sickness became security
For years, defined by leprosy
Till it became identity
Healed, became a bitter man
And wished he could get sick again.
That accounts for three who were healed that day
Nine lepers left, one leper stayed.
Leper four, his skin free of spots
Left and immediately forgot
He’d ever been a leper.
Five and six found love along the way.
Ran off, got married that same day.
So that makes six accounted for
One leper stayed, that leaves three more.
And of those three, there were the two
That wrote “Life from a Leper’s Point of View.”
They gained great fame in lecture halls,
Signed copies of their books in malls.
And on the Oprah Winfrey Show,
Oprah said, “We want to know,
To what do you attribute health?”
“From within,” they said. “We healed ourselves.”
Number Nine believed his leprosy
Was to be replaced with prosperity
Convinced it’s what he deserves, somehow.
He’s out there living his best life now.
So, ten lepers went their separate ways
Nine lepers left, one leper stayed.
He stayed to fall at Jesus’ feet,
Stayed to feel His touch so sweet;
To thank Him for the gift he gave,
Ten lepers cured, one leper saved.
James Jackson
