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A Thankful Life (Luke 17:11-19)

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MOTIVATE

Questions

  • Where are you? (Gen 3:9)
  • Why are you hiding? Who told you that you were naked? (Gen 3:11)
  • Why are you angry, and your countenance fallen? (Gen 4:6)
  • Am I responsible for my family/neighbor? (Gen 4:9)
  • Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? – Here am I, send me. (Isa 6:8)
  • If you greet only those you know, what are you doing more than others? (Mt 5:47)
  • Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your neighbors eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Mt 7:3)
  • Who do you say that Jesus is? (Mt 16:15)
  • Have you never read the Scriptures? (Mt 21:42)
  • Why do you call Jesus “Lord” and do not do what He says? (Lk 6:46)
  • Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to their life? (Lk 12:25)
  • Why do you look for the living among the dead? (Lk 24:5)
  • Do you love Jesus… really love Jesus? (Jn 21:15-27)
  • What will it profit a person to gain the whole world but lose their own soul? (Mk 8:36)

Today, we’re looking at another important question from Jesus: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

EXAMINE           Luke 17:11-19
Luke 17:11-19 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

  • In OT times, leprosy was the deadly disease that cancer is today.
  • Been around 1000’s of years & still occurs in many countries today / a cure started in 1981
  • BC of stigma, many patients prefer the diagnosis “Hansen’s Disease” named after a dr who discovered the bacteria cause in humans.
  • Those with the disease in Ireland are called…  JK!
  • Leprosy was so feared that anyone having the disease was banished from society.
  • Skin patch discoloration
  • Skin patch spread externally on body & internally to organs
  • Tumors appear & Tissue disintegrates to deform hands/feet
  • Nerve endings destroyed
  • Leviticus 13:45-46 “The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, Unclean’. He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.”

Luke 17:11-19 11 On the way to Jerusalem

When Gospels use this phrase, it indicates that Jesus is preparing His sacrificial death on the cross. See Luke 9:31, 51, 53; 13:22, 33; 17:11.

> It’s a humbling hint that each of us are living life in preparation for our death.
   You’re going to die… what’s your legacy?

he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.

Jesus’ ministry went to places where others avoided

  • Samaria was capital city for Northern Kingdom (evil). Gentile nations conquered and dwelled here with significant idolatry.
  • Jews had much animosity toward Samaritans / ethnic division & hatred.
  • Yet, Jesus rebuked disciples for their hostility toward Samaritans (Lk 9:55-56), honored Samaritans for their neighborliness (Lk 10:30-37), and ministered there frequently (Jn 4; Lk 17; Ac 1:8).

> Who are the people/places you unnecessarily avoid?

12 And as he entered a village,

The specific village is unnamed. Yet, God can turn our nowhere to NOW HERE. 

he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance

It would be natural for those suffering and spiritually unclean to congregate in a small and remote town. Lepers were required to observe at least a 50-pace buffer so as not to contaminate others.[1]

There are people in our communities, perhaps in our churches, who stay at a distance.

  • They won’t enter a church building – but they’d go to a home or 3rd place
  • They don’t become members – but they’ll attend a group/ministry
  • Christians need eyes and heart of Jesus

13 and lifted up their voices, saying,

Leprosy not only impacted a person’s body but their voice. Their entire appearance and abilities were diminished; and they sounded defeated. Yet, they lift their voices together to cry to Jesus.

This is prayer. 

  • Ps 18:6 “In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to God for help. From His temple he heard my voice and my cry reached his ears.”
  • Jer 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things”
  • 1 Pet 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Jesus, bc He cares for you” 

Prayer is simply crying out to Jesus and casting your cares on Him.

Jesus should be first priority not last resort… regardless, He hears!
Jesus is approachable! No person, place, or pain is unapproachable from Jesus’ help and hope.
Isa 59:1 “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, or his ear dull that it cannot hear”

“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

It’s interesting that these Samaritan Lepers have accurate and exceptional theology.
Yet, even demons know God exists and tremble.

Overall, effective prayer is believing 3 elements:
1) Authority: Believing God is in control; He’s the master and Lord with commands to obey.

2) Ability : Believing Jesus is capable and competent; He’s more than able.

3) Eagerness: Believing the Spirit’s compassion, that Jesus is merciful, and wanting to intervene.

Biblical prayer is believing in God is in control, Jesus is capable, and the Spirit is compassionate. It’s believing in God’s authority, ability, and eagerness.

14 When he saw them

Jesus didn’t turn away or closes His eyes – He saw them. Oh LORD, open our eyes/heart to see people not as projects to make ourselves feel better but as real people needing relationship – – –

he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

At this moment, Jesus was healing them. He instructed them to go to the priest to follow strict ceremonial laws for getting inspected for healing and re-entry into the community (Lev 13-14).
YET, notice their full healing did not occur until after they acted in faith that Jesus’ word was trustworthy.

Illus 1: It’s like winter lovers praying for snow but not getting out shovels.

Illus 2: Us moving from Lusby to Pasadena, couldn’t sell house but eventually just started packing boxes & moved out

There are some things God is waiting to bring to fruition until you step out in faith.

There are some things God is waiting to bring to fruition until you step out in faith.

15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

  • they were (καθαρίζω) cleansed
  • 1 of 10 saw that he was healed (ἰάομαι – > root of words to pediatrician or psychiatrist)

    • He turned. He praised loudly. He gave thanks

*Faith is more than verbal acknowledgement; it’s action of turning, thanking, and a life transformed to praise God. 

  • This one was a Samaritan; a foreigner; an unbeliever
  • Jesus asked: Where are the other nine? Some questions are rhetorical / not this one. Jesus was expecting an answer but there appears to be silence.
    • Assumed Jesus already knew their appreciation; He knows everything ya know!
    • Busy enjoying their new found freedom
    • Careless, rude, and ungrateful

*Thanksgiving is not just an exercise of the lip’s muscles but our heart’s affections.

*your [grateful] faith has made you well = σῴζω = saved, rescued. Therefore, gratitude is a defining mark of a true believer.

  • Rom 1:21 “for although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to Him, but became futile in their thinking an their foolish hears were darkened”
  • Colossians 3:17 “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Christ”
  • 1Thes  5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you”
  • Rev 4:9 “all creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Jesus who is seated on the throne”

Faith is more than verbal acknowledgement; it’s action of turning, thanking, and a life transformed to praise God. 

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

*No one is forced to be grateful; either you turn and give thanks or you will remain unhealed from the sadness and severity of the curse of sin. Ultimately, ungratefulness is leprosy of the soul. If we want to be joyful and whole, we must be grateful to God. We must understand that Thanksgiving is not just a day but a decision to recognize God and all His gifts. 

Ungratefulness is leprosy of the soul. If we want to be joyful and whole, we must be grateful to God.

*Trust Jesus… ///     *Treasure Jesus through Communion…

[1] James R. Edwards, The Gospel according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 483.

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