The returning leper

Why did nine lepers not return? We don't know, but we do know that Jesus had sent them to the priests, who were his sworn enemies. Surely they would not want them returning, and might have preached a strong sermon against it. And then there's the peer pressure.  Just like today, whose societal influences pull us away from Jesus. But there's the one leper who returned. What about him? He was a Samaritan, so perhaps already used to being an outsider. And perhaps his prior confession of faith,  then, was already stronger. Perhaps he was thrilled just to be in Jesus' presence, even before he was healed, and then went and did as Jesus bade him. But then, when he was healed, he was overwhelmed, and now glad that he could return and draw near to him rather than stand afar off. So he fell on his face before him. No law or commandment told him to do this, but he knew that he must. So let us learn: no law or commandment tells us to come here to worship. The Third Commandment tells us to remember the Sabbath Day, only obliquely bidding us to fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His word but gladly hear and learn it. But it doesn't say when, or how often. Yet how can we stay away, knowing what Christ has done for us. We find ourselves in the very same place as this leper, returning even if nine will not return with us, even if our society should tell us not to go, even if all the world should speak against it. For we know who He is, and what He has done for us. Sermon for Trinity XIV. The video is here.