On Our Way Rejoicing

Jesus and the Greatful Leper
courtesy free clip art

Today I gleaned from Pastor Jerry’s sermon for Sunday.  Pastor was reading from Luke 17: 11-19; the story of the ten lepers. 

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, and needed to go through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. As he passed through a village he met ten lepers.  They lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 

Jesus did NOT reach out and touch them, for anyone with leprosy was considered unclean and untouchable. 

Instead he spoke words and told them to go and show themselves to the Priest

If a leper was cured, he must first go to the priest to be declared clean.  As these ten men were on their way to fulfill what the law required, they were healed.

Luke 17:15-16  And one of the lepers, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

It is interesting that the one person who came back with gratitude was a Samaritan.  The Samaritans were looked down upon and hated by the Jews as an abomination.  

The tenth leper was a double whammy, as he was not only a leper, but he was also a Samaritan.

In the natural, leprosy was a terrible incurable disease.  There was no reversing the disease and it was a sentence of death as the skin and body parts of the person were eaten away.  

When Jesus told them to GO to the priest, it is apparent that the nine lepers received a healing and a stop on their disease, but possibly no reversal.

The tenth man who returned with gratitude and thanksgiving was made “whole.”  It is not clear, but it is suggested that missing parts were created and he was not just healed but was restored and made well.

Jesus had spoken a parable about a certain man injured by thieves, and those who considered themselves holy were guilty of passing by the wounded man.  It was a Samaritan who took pity and stopped to give him assistance and paid for his care.

Jesus is no respecter of persons,  the sinful, the sick, the diseased, regardless of race or creed, may come to Jesus and be “Saved.” 

 

This word saved has a blend of meanings.  To be healed, in body, restored emotionally in the soul, and made new in spirit.

Jesus continued to speak.  You are “Saved,” now go on your way rejoicing.