A THANKFUL SAMARITAN

Passage: Luke 17:11-19

Key verse: 16

NIV

Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem,(A) Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.(B) 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a](C) met him. They stood at a distance(D) 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master,(E) have pity on us!”

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”(F) And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God(G) in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.(H)

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”(I)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 17:12 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

11 (A)On the way to Jerusalem (B)he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[a] (C)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 (D)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, (E)praising God with a loud voice; 16 and (F)he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was (G)a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not (H)ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and (I)give praise to God except this (J)foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; (K)your faith has (L)made you well.”[b]

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 17:12 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
  2. Luke 17:19 Or has saved you
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. 'Jesus, Master, have pity on us!' (11-14)

Jesus was going to Jerusalem to lay down his life for the sin of the world. He traveled the lonely border with Samaria. Jews avoided Samaritans, but leprosy made that distinction irrelevant to these ten men. Together they cried out for mercy. Jesus immediately commanded them to obey God's law: 'Go to the priest.' All ten obeyed and all were cleansed! Jesus is compassionate to all people.

2. 'Where are the other nine?' (15-19)

Although all ten were healed, only one came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. This man was a Samaritan, suggesting the other nine were Jews. They may have felt obedience was enough and so deserved healing. But this man recognized Jesus as God and was overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy to him. Jesus was sorry for the other nine and their unthankful hearts. This man alone received Jesus' personal blessing: 'Your faith has made you well.' The others' skin was clean, but their hearts were still leprous.

Prayer: Father, I do not want only surface healing but to be truly well from the inside out and to know you as Lord and Savior. Help me to come to Jesus with humble thanksgiving for his grace today.

One Word: Give thanks to Jesus for his mercy