In Luke 17:11-17 we read, “As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, He reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. He entered the village there, and ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has not one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
The Samaritans were a hybrid mix. Part Jew and part Gentile. Normally, the Jews would have by-passed Samaria. They preferred to have no dealings with the Samaritans. But Jesus was not just any Jew. He was the Son of God and the Son of Man and He had come to “seek and to save the lost.”
The ten men He met were very lost – they were lepers. They were outcasts. They were not permitted to have close contact with the public. They faced a slow, certain, painful death. (In those days there was no cure.)
Note: Leprosy in the scriptures is likened or compared to sin. All of us are ‘spiritual lepers.’ We have all sinned. And for us, there is only one way to be healed, as it was for the leper. We need the grace and mercy of God who loves us.
Like that leper, we need to realize we are diseased with sin and cry out to the Lord — “Save me! Heal me!”
And the LORD of MERCY will hear and answer that prayer.
Note: There were ten men healed, but only one of them was saved – the one who came running back to Jesus shouting “Praise God!” He fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him for what He had done. (vs. 15 NLT) Jesus said to this man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
· Have you become aware that you, along with all mankind have sinned? That makes each of us a sinner. The Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
The Bible says, “The wages (the penalty for) of sin is death.” (separation from God.) Romans 6:23a
· Have you come running to Jesus, crying out, “Jesus please save me.” “Lord please forgive me of my sins.” Lord come into my life and be my Savior and Lord.”
Folks, listen to this good news — “the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23b
· Have you praised Him over and over ever since that day He forgave you, cleansed you, accepted you, adopted you, and has assured you of eternal life and that one day you will be in Heaven, the Father’s house, with Him forever?
· Maybe you are still in your sins. You have not accepted Christ as your Savior and LORD. Won’t you come to Him right now and from the depths of your cry out to Him — “Jesus save me! Forgive me. Heal me. I receive you right now.”
Dear one – He will answer that prayer faster than you can say ‘Amen’.
Don’t forget the rest of your life to thank Him for saving you and assuring you that one day you will be in heaven with Him forever. Glory to God!
In His love,
Pastor Leonard
