The Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11-17 NLT
“As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’”- Luke 17:11-13
Once again we find Jesus healing people who are outcasts of society. Leprosy was highly contagious, therefore, those with the disease stayed far away from others. While we don’t know exactly what town they are in, we know they are somewhere between Galilee and Samaria. Samaritans, according to the Jews, were nothing more than idolatrous half-breeds who were literally hated by the Jewish people. Leprosy is no respecter of persons; it infects whoever it will. In this case both Jews and Samaritans suffered together.
Luke points out, as he often does, the fact that Jesus final destination is Jerusalem. That will be the culmination point of his heavenly mission. All along the way Jesus never hesitates to meet the needs of those suffering from various ailments.
The lepers cried out to Jesus, yet asked for nothing specifically, just that He have mercy on them. The Lord tells them to show themselves to the priest, which is the common ritualistic practice of those who had been unclean and believed they had been cleansed. It took faith to go when still in their leprous state, for little did they realize that their faith walk would find them progressively being healed as they followed Jesus instructions.
It is curious that only the Samaritan came back with praise on his lips for God. The others were healed as well yet it apparently didn’t enter their minds to return and thank both Jesus and God for their healing.
How can we relate this to us today? The one glaring point that stands out is that when God does something for you it is necessary for you to thank Him. It is not required. Jesus didn’t tell the ten lepers to come back to Him praising and thanking God, but you have to know that God is very pleased when we do. It means we get it. We understand that without God we truly are incapable of doing anything of eternal value. With each divine interaction we grow a little closer to our Lord. This is a very good thing and the only way to begin to know God even as we are known. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His name & for His glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: The Life Application Study Bible, p.2244, c.2007; Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament, Copyright 2004.
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