November 16, 2023
Topic: LESSONS FROM THE SAMARITAN LEPER
Text: Luke 17:11-19
Memory Verse: Luke 17:15-16 – “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God; and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan”.
All odds were against him: Ostracized, Isolated by reason of the dreaded and contagious disease of leprosy. Association with family and friends was forbidden by the Levitical laws that considered him “Unclean” (Lev 13:45-46; Num 5:2), he was numbered among nine others, who sadly also shared his fate, all living on the outskirts of the city in a likely “Lepers Colony”. Sad, dejected, poor and hopeless, until that day of Divine Visitation. Readers should bear in mind that this was the beginning of The Saviour’s journey to Jerusalem to go to the cross, at the tail end of His three and half years’ earthly ministry. The Saviour indeed knew He was going to suffer and be murdered! (Matt. 16:21), yet in His internal agony, found space for mercy for these needy fellows!
There are some lessons to learn. First is the depth of the Messiah’s mercy and compassion – He simply cannot ignore the cry for help (v13). Remember blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46; Emphasis. v49) and the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-15; Emphasis v13)
Second is the Saviour’s love for all humanity – Jews and Gentiles alike because of His commission (Isa42:6-7); universal nature of message (Col 3:11; Gal 3:28-29) – even to Samaritans, whom the Jews detested and hated (John 4:9), yet the Lord will minister to them leading to massive evangelism in their region (Lk 4:39-42; Acts 8:5-8).
Thirdly, is the response of this foreigner among the ten lepers, who like Naaman (2kings 5:15) showed gratitude. It is imperative that we understand the depth of his gratitude: shouting (on top of his voice) to glorify God, and worshipping Jesus in total humility and submission, because he realized he was “not worthy” of the mercy he had just received, particularly as a foreigner and from a Jew. On the contrary, the other nine perhaps forgot their initial ordeal, took it for granted (perhaps as Jews) and simply walked away, prompting Jesus to ask the question: Where are the other nine?
Lastly, but not exhaustively is the very instructive statement of Jesus, in v10. While the other nine by their action only received physical healing, this foreigner received wholesomeness i.e. salvation, spiritual adoption (John 1:12; Gal 4:5-6) in addition to physical healing, which sadly the other nine missed, underscoring the benefits of giving thanks to God.
PRAYER: Lord, when I cry to you, I know you hear me. This day, in my lowliness and loneliness, I lift my heart to you like this leper and I pray that you will grant me wholesome answers. I promise to return to give you quality praise and worship that you deserve today and all through my life.