I stared at my hand. It was red, swollen, and covered with rashes. Same with my legs and arms. Why had this happened to me? I was innocent. My name is Cohen. I am only 28, but I have leprosy. The disease is one of the most feared not only in Samaria, but in Galilee, Judea, and beyond the Jordan River. It means I can’t be near anyone but other Lepers. We are outcasts and aren’t allowed to be near anyone. It has no cure and is highly contagious. That means I will never again lay eyes on anyone I love, ever. That is what I thought, at least. It was a hot day. I was a way outside the city of Jerusalem. It was a bustling city under the rule of the Roman Empire. It stood on a hill, and it looked like a crown glistening above our heads. I had found a group of Jews infected with Leprosy who welcomed me into their group. Jews and Samaritans are enemies, but as Lepers, we didn’t care much. As the sun set behind the city, we sat around in the dark. I heard Jewish stories of a boy called David, who killed a giant with a stone. Also, of a prophet called Elijah who could heal leprosy and bring the dead back. “If only we had him now…” I muttered under my breath. Abnar gave me a strange look, then he leaned in close to us, his face looked as if he was about to disclose a deadly secret. “Have you heard… of the man they call Jesus?” His voice was cold and clear, cutting through the dark night. Jesus. It meant God saves. By God, I knew it didn’t mean any of the gods of the Romans, but of the one true God that both Jews and Samaritans worship. "Who is he?" I asked. "Some say he is a prophet. Others say he is Elijah. Others say he is a demon." He whispered. "But I have heard that he can heal lameness, deafness, blindness... and leprosy." Eldad nodded. "But is it true?" He added. "Who knows?" I said. "But I'm willing to try anything," I added quietly. ... We sat on the side of the road. Travelers veered away from us. Bitterly, I remembered when I did the same thing. I remembered how I was glad not to be them. I sighed. Suddenly, I heard a yelp. "Chayim, what's wrong!?" I said. "It's him! It's Jesus! He is coming this way!" We scrambled up and craned our necks. There he was. "Jesus, master! Pity us!" Meir fell to his knees. Jesus raised his head and met our, or my, eyes. My legs fell under me. "Go, show yourselves to the priests." We took off running as fast as we could toward the city. As we reached the city gates, we halted. What were we to do? No one would let us into Jerusalem with leprosy. I looked at Abnar. He had been infected with leprosy for four years. His face had been swollen up with rashes, so much that it was indistinguishable. But now, his face was clear. As well as his arm and legs. "Abnar, your face!" I screamed "What's wrong with it?" He mumbled. "No, it's fine! It's perfectly fine! So are your arms and legs!" Eldad said. Abnar felt his face. His face lit up with joy, and he raced off into the city. I looked at my hands. They were smooth. I was filled with pure joy. I knew what I had to do. Instead of rushing straight back to my city, I ran back down the boot-beaten path. I saw the Lord coming towards the city. I threw myself at his feet, crying tears of joy. "My Lord and Savior-Thank you!" I cried. "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to say praise to god except this foreigner?" He met my eyes and said, "Rise and go, your faith has made you well."
