Friday, 4 September 2020 Luke 17:1-19
“Rise and go your faith has made you well “ -Luke 17:19
Jesus was travelling along the border between Samaria and Galilee, on his way to Jerusalem where he met 10 lepers. Although Jews and Samaritans did not mingle with each other, in this passage we see them together -they all had a common need, their healing from leprosy. Lepers in those times were expelled from the society and they lived out of the camp.
On hearing that Jesus was coming that way, these lepers eagerly waited to receive His healing touch-they might have heard about Jesus and His miracles. They called out in a loud voice “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” They expected Jesus to heal them too; so they cried out to Him. A similar cry is heard when Bartimaeus shouted in a loud voice “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:46-52). Jesus hears our cry or groaning from our heart at all times.
Their address of Jesus as ‘Master’: The leapers realized that Jesus is Master of everything and that He could heal their incurable disease. They stood at a distance because in Leviticus 13: 45 -14:6 we see how lepers were to be treated, “unclean!” Isaiah 1: 6 shows us the pitiable spiritual condition of a sinner. A sinner can be compared to a leper full of wounds/sores caused by sin who cannot be at peace with God. Only Jesus can heal him from this sinful condition. Understanding his condition if the sinner cries out, Christ is ready to cleanse our sins with His blood and heal our wounds.
Their Faith: When Jesus told them “Go show yourselves to the priest” they simply believed His word and began to walk. In Leviticus 14:2-3, we see that lepers were sent to the priest to get the certificate that they are healed. These lepers just obeyed and went; on the way they were cleansed. Similarly in the pitiable condition with the leprosy of sin, you will be devoid of peace and joy because of sores and welts in your heart. But in faith if you ask Jesus to forgive and cleanse your sin, we have His promise in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” After we have repented, confessed our sins and accepted His forgiveness we have to live and walk in faith as a child of God.
Their Worship: When one of the lepers realized that he is healed, he returned to worship Jesus. He fell down at His feet and gave Him thanks. Realization leads to thankfulness! In Luke 7:36-50 we see a similar incident of a sinful woman who worshipped at Jesus’ feet, anointing His feet with the Jar of perfume and her tears- her sins were forgiven and her act of worship acknowledged.
Romans 3:23 says, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” They are like the lepers, living out of the grace of God. Only Christ Jesus can bring one back into God’s Great Grace! As with the lepers here, Jesus hears the cry for mercy and His blood shed on the cross of Calvary will cleanse all sin, if one completely trusts Him and surrenders one’s life to Him. And then becoming a child of God, one is to always have a heart of gratitude giving thanks to Jesus Christ for what He has done! With the Psalmist let us say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).
Prayer: Our Loving Father we come to You we and thank You for what You have done in our lives by giving us Jesus Christ as our Savior and Master. May we have a heart of gratitude in all situations. In Jesus name. Amen
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