The One That Returned
“Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?’”—Luke 17:17
One of the characteristics of a child of God is thankfulness. We are thankful because we recognize what God has done for us. By ourselves, we were lost, adrift at sea, and wallowing in open hostility to God. But because of His great love, He saved us, transformed us, placed His Spirit within us, and gave us peace.
Today’s story involves ten lepers. And for those of us who are beneficiaries of modern medicine, the story and its full effect are largely lost on us. We must go back and reread the story, examining the details and cultural background in order to capture its full flavor. Luke tells us that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, passing between Samaria and Galilee (v. 11). Samaritan’s were part Jewish, part Gentile, and most Jews despised them.
As He entered a village, he was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us" (v. 13). Leprosy was a terrible and debilitating disease in the ancient world. Not only did they bear the marks of their sickness all over their skin, but the mental and emotional toil was equally as scarring. They stood at a distance because Jewish law forbade them from making contact with others (Leviticus 13:45-46; Numbers 5:2-4). They were also required to yell, "Unclean, unclean" (Leviticus 13:45). They lived outside of the town, ostracized from community, family, and religious life.
Jesus saw them and said, "Go and show yourselves to the priests" (v. 14). As the ten made their way to the priests, scripture tells us that, they were cleansed, or healed (v. 14). One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back and praised God with a loud voice, falling on his face at Jesus’ feet giving Him thanks (v. 16). The text emphasizes the fact that he was a Samaritan (v. 16), which Jesus draws attention to, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (v. 17-18). Jesus’ questions brought into full view the power and scope of God’s kingdom. It extends to all who believe and trust in Him regardless of background. The important thing is realizing His power at work and then responding to Him in a spirit of thankfulness. To the Samaritan’s gratitude and act of faith He says, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well" (v. 19).
It was the Samaritan—one outside the covenant community of God who recognized the significance of his healing, although all ten should have returned to give thanks. Jesus said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well" (v. 19). Which indicates that the healing was much more than physical.
God desires that we be like the one that returned—never failing to marvel or take for granted God’s work and mercy in our lives. All too often we can con ourselves into thinking that we deserve or merit God’s favor, failing to remember that we were at one time God’s enemy (Ephesians 2:2; Romans 5:8), deserving of condemnation (Romans 5:18). It is only by His mercy and grace poured on us through Christ that we are healed.
May we never fail to forget what God has done for us, continually cultivating an attitude of gratitude rejoicing in His power that has restored and transformed us. Amen.
One of the characteristics of a child of God is thankfulness. We are thankful because we recognize what God has done for us. By ourselves, we were lost, adrift at sea, and wallowing in open hostility to God. But because of His great love, He saved us, transformed us, placed His Spirit within us, and gave us peace.
Today’s story involves ten lepers. And for those of us who are beneficiaries of modern medicine, the story and its full effect are largely lost on us. We must go back and reread the story, examining the details and cultural background in order to capture its full flavor. Luke tells us that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, passing between Samaria and Galilee (v. 11). Samaritan’s were part Jewish, part Gentile, and most Jews despised them.
As He entered a village, he was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us" (v. 13). Leprosy was a terrible and debilitating disease in the ancient world. Not only did they bear the marks of their sickness all over their skin, but the mental and emotional toil was equally as scarring. They stood at a distance because Jewish law forbade them from making contact with others (Leviticus 13:45-46; Numbers 5:2-4). They were also required to yell, "Unclean, unclean" (Leviticus 13:45). They lived outside of the town, ostracized from community, family, and religious life.
Jesus saw them and said, "Go and show yourselves to the priests" (v. 14). As the ten made their way to the priests, scripture tells us that, they were cleansed, or healed (v. 14). One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back and praised God with a loud voice, falling on his face at Jesus’ feet giving Him thanks (v. 16). The text emphasizes the fact that he was a Samaritan (v. 16), which Jesus draws attention to, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" (v. 17-18). Jesus’ questions brought into full view the power and scope of God’s kingdom. It extends to all who believe and trust in Him regardless of background. The important thing is realizing His power at work and then responding to Him in a spirit of thankfulness. To the Samaritan’s gratitude and act of faith He says, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well" (v. 19).
It was the Samaritan—one outside the covenant community of God who recognized the significance of his healing, although all ten should have returned to give thanks. Jesus said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well" (v. 19). Which indicates that the healing was much more than physical.
God desires that we be like the one that returned—never failing to marvel or take for granted God’s work and mercy in our lives. All too often we can con ourselves into thinking that we deserve or merit God’s favor, failing to remember that we were at one time God’s enemy (Ephesians 2:2; Romans 5:8), deserving of condemnation (Romans 5:18). It is only by His mercy and grace poured on us through Christ that we are healed.
May we never fail to forget what God has done for us, continually cultivating an attitude of gratitude rejoicing in His power that has restored and transformed us. Amen.
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