(Lk 17:11-19)

This event happened as our Lord was going on His last pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where He will die on the Cross. The Jews discriminated the Samaritans and do not pass thru Samaria. But Jesus does not care about these petty issues. As He entered a village, Jesus met ten men who were lepers. Nine were Jews and one was a Samaritan. Leprosy was a terrible incurable disease, a symbol of sin. The sick man does not feel pain. His voice is getting faint. There is a white patch growing on his body. Parts of his body like his fingers, toes, lips or the nose fall off, leaving the man disfigured for life. This was God’s Law: “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Lev 13:45, 46). The leprous must live outside the village.

These ten men stood afar off according to the Law. They were supposed to shout ‘Unclean, unclean!’ so that healthy people avoid them. But when Jesus passed by, they had faith for the healing of their bodies. Leprosy affects the vocal cords. We fainted voices, the ten of them shouted “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” They recognized the Lordship of Jesus. They asked Him for mercy. At the root of sickness is sin. They asked for mercy so that they could be healed. Jesus commanded them saying: “Go! Show yourselves to the priests”. The priests could not heal any sick person, but they could confirm the healing. They were like health inspectors. Jesus wanted them to exercise their faith. To walk as they were already healed. They did that! They obeyed instantly. Oh, the grace in this sentence: “so it was that as they went…”

Jesus did not touch them. He did not speak a word of healing to them. The command ‘go!’ meant healing. They needed to pass the test of faith. As they were going together towards the village priest, they found that they were healed. Imagine the joy! First one, then another, then another one, discovered that the sickness disappeared from their bodies. They were healed! Immediately, the nine Jews ran towards the house of the priest to confirm the healing. From now on, they could live a normal life. They never looked back!

Sickness brought these men together. Now, as they were healed, it is possible that the old discrimination manifested. They Jews went on their way together to the priest. But the Samaritan went back to Jesus, the Great High Priest! With the eyes of faith, He saw Jesus as His great High Priest! He did not need any other priest! He fell at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him with a loud voice. Leprosy has quenched his voice. Now that he is healed, he did want to waste his shout on empty things. He came to Jesus to shout His name! He obeyed God’s Word: “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises” (Ps 98:4). Praise is a sacrifice. This Samaritan offered the first fruits of his healthy body and recovered voice to Jesus. After years of silence and sadness, he gave Jesus the first feeling of joy. He did not want only healing of the body. He wanted healing of the soul. Jesus confirms the miracle. He says “Arise, go your way! Your faith has made you well!” He was healed not only in his body, but his soul was saved. Lesson: our response to God after we receive a blessing is extremely important.  

These ten men were suffering and dying. For many years, people told them that there was no hope for them. When Jesus commanded them to ‘Go, to the priest..’ they gladly obeyed. This is the first time in many years that someone addressed them as living beings. The very command Go! Meant hope and healing! They passed the test of obedience. They got healed. Sickness and suffering kept these men together. God’s blessing separated them, physically and eternally. Men can join in prayer for needs. The same men can separate during worship. Many pray to God! Few Paise God! What is the reason why the nine did not come back? Possibly, it was fear. It was also pride. They were afraid that Jesus will make demands on them, telling them what to do. They wanted healing but they also wanted freedom from Jesus. They did not want a relationship with Jesus. Ingratitude is worse than leprosy! Selah!

Observe that the Samaritan humbled himself before Jesus. It was not the sickness that humbled him. It was the mercy of God revealed to him. He knew that he did not deserve to be healed, to be given a second chance in life. He knew that he was unworthy of such a gift. That is why he came back. The Samaritan truly appreciated the Mercy and Grace of God! There are four steps in the walk of grace towards salvation: Return to Jesus! Fall at the feet of Jesus! Glorify God! Thank God with a loud voice! Lesson: Gratitude to God is not enough! Passionate Gratitude is necessary! Everything we are and we have, is a gift from God. It belongs to God. We should always return to Jesus! At the feet of King Jesus the sick sinner becomes a saint! The healed sinner becomes holy! Once you have tested that God is good, do not go back to be an ordinary person again! Go to Jesus! Stay with Jesus!

We generally limit the act of thanksgiving to being grateful AFTER you receive a gift. From this story we see that thanksgiving is an act of faith. It is offered forward. It becomes an open door to salvation and other blessings.   

There are steps on the way of healing. The first is forgiveness. A stronghold of unforgiveness always blocks prayer of healing. By forgiving others, and even yourself, you open the door to a miracle of healing. You must choose between the desire for revenge and your healing! The second step is thanksgiving. We must thank God always, for everything. Third, is to praise God with a loud voice like this Samarian. He still had problems. He has been leprous for a long time. He had no wife, children or friends. He had no job and no money. He could face rejection from people even as he was healed. But he decided to forget these problems and go to Jesus. He decided that praising Jesus is more important than solving his problems. With a loud voice he declared that God is greater than his problems.

Lessons: It is possible to have an encounter with Jesus, to be healed by Jesus and still not be saved. The nine were dreaming of being healed to go back to a normal life in the community. The tenth one was praying and hoping to be healed and know the Healer. Each received what they wanted. The sin of ingratitude is a terribly ugly dark sin. May God have mercy on us too! Learn to praise God in the midst of your problems. That is the key to find favor with God. That is the path that leads to salvation. Coming to church faithfully, is an act of gratitude. The nine were healed but only this one was made well. He got saved! Forgiveness is necessary for survival. But thanking God and praising God in the middle of unsolved problems releases the power of salvation and eternal life! Worship the Lord!