Luke 17:11-19

(11) And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (12) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: (13) and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. (14) And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. (15) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, (16) and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (17) And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? (18) There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. (19) And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

We have been studying pretty much all of this year about the miracles of Jesus in chronological order. Jesus’ fame is now all known throughout the region. People know who He is, know all the things He has done. As He enters the village, He is recognized by ten lepers from afar. They cried out for Him to have mercy. Being lepers, they knew no to approach people, for it was unlawful. Jesus then tells them to go show themselves to the priests. As they went, they were cleansed, in other words they were healed. When one noticed, he turned with a loud voice and glorified God, and then went and fell at Jesus’s feet giving thanks. I like how this scripture also points out he was a Samaritan. Not supposed to be interacting with Jesus. Jesus asks were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine? Only one turned back to give God glory. Jesus tells him his faith has made him whole.

 

First thing to look at is that these lepers found themselves in Jesus’s presence. They made their request know to God.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us

1 John 5:15 and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

After Jesus tells them to show themselves to the priests, one turns and with a loud voice Glorifies God.

Romans 15:6 that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 24:14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.

Psalm 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath Praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 139:14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 9:1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

 

The cleansed leper then came and fell at Jesus’s feet and thanked Him.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

 

Jesus now tells the cleansed leper his faith has made him whole. Wat does be made whole mean? We have seen it many times before in previous studies. I believe Not only Does Jesus heal physically, but now there is a spiritual awareness, through out the mind body and soul. This one cleansed leper experienced that as the other were only healed of their ailment. This man truly experience the full grace and peace of God.

Matthew 22:37   Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

1 Thessalonians 5:23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 In a story like this I think we can get caught up in all the going Ons because there is a lot. But the last few words are what this passage is about, not so much being healed, but being made whole. We often time pray and ask God for the things on the surface that are visible and look good, but Jesus is not only wanting to heal and take care of that, But He wants to go further and do a complete transformation in any situation. Our request could be "God heal my sickness” but when he does, are we like ok cool, or do we with a loud voice shout His praise, fall on our knees and give thanks?? Are we so obsessed with the physical side of Jesus’s potential or do we want to go further and experience the more spiritual side where only wholeness can be achieved. Things to ponder this week.