The answer is: Priests

Luke 17:11-14

In Luke 17:11-14, we see not just the miraculous work of Jesus, but also a lesson in obedience and faith. Jesus encounters ten lepers, who were social outcasts due to their skin disease. Leprosy at that time was not just a physical ailment but also a significant social stigma. By instructing them to go show themselves to the priests, Jesus was essentially following the cultural and religious protocols of the day.

According to the Old Testament, specifically in Leviticus 14, it was the priests who determined the cleanliness of a person through rituals, validating their return to society. This action highlights the integration of faith with community norms—the lepers had to act on the word of Jesus even before experiencing their healing. Imagine being in their shoes, feeling the despair of disease coupled with the hope of healing, yet they're required to take that first step of faith toward the priests without any visible signs of healing.

Interestingly, out of the ten who were healed, only one returned to thank Jesus, and he was a Samaritan. This act contrasts with the Jewish expectations of the day, where lepers were often pariahs, emphasizing a theme that runs throughout Luke's Gospel—the inclusion of the marginalized.

If that doesn’t resonate with your heart, consider this! Throughout scripture, healing isn't only about physical restoration but also about restoring community bonds, a vivid reminder that, sometimes, the journey of our faith begins in stepping toward those calling us back into our lives.