The Thankful Leper
By: Sis. Liezl Magno Francisco
Sermon from Dr. Tom Walker
Zion Hill Baptist--Marion, NC-USA
Introduction:Zion Hill Baptist--Marion, NC-USA
From the time we are small children, our parents are constantly
reminding us to have good manners. When you ask for something, what do
your parents always tell you to say? PLEASE. And when you receive something, what are you supposed to say? THANK YOU.
When
your parents remind you to say “please” and “thank you” they are
helping you to understand thankfulness. Let’s say you receive a gift you
really wanted for Christmas, you’re not just happy that you have a
gift, you are filled with thankfulness to the giver as well. And because
you are so amazed by the giver’s generosity and love, you freely show
your thankfulness by giving them a hug or saying “thank you” over and
over.
Thanksgiving should be a way of life for the child of God and so we give thanks to God, today, tomorrow and every day.
Today we are going to look at a story in Luke 17 about a time that
Jesus gave an amazing gift to ten men. And while all ten of them may
have been happy that they received a gift, only one of them chose to
show his thankfulness to Jesus.
Title: THE THANKFUL LEPER
Luke 17:11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, 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 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, praising God with a loud voice;
16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Point no. 1 (Luke 17:11-13)
We should be truly thankful for Gods’ love
12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance
13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
Notice 2 things: (1) Jesus is just outside a village and (2) he meets a group of lepers. It wasn’t uncommon for lepers to group together. They can’t have much social contact with the “clean” members of society, so they form their own society of the “unclean”, the “untouchables.” Being just outside a village would be common, since they probably obtain food from family members or those in the village who have pity on them. Since they have no land to till, no livestock to look after, they are dependent upon others. (17:12a)
When Jesus and His band of disciples draw near, the ten lepers who
stood at a distance from Jesus immediately recognize Him and called out
His name. They knew that they could not go near anyone because they had
contagious illness. When they saw Jesus crossing the border between
Samaria and Galilee, they yelled, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
The lepers cry miserably. It was a desperate cry for no one could help
them. It was a definite cry for mercy. It was a dependent cry for he was
their only resort for healing.
The lepers ask for pity, a familiar cry that they have been uttering
ever since they were diagnosed with leprosy and cast out of the village.
The word falls easily from their lips, they are used to voicing it.
Have pity – the Greek word is eleeo meaning to be greatly concerned about someone in need, have compassion/mercy/pity for someone.
They don’t ask for healing, but for mercy, for whatever Jesus might give them – food, clothing, shelter, whatever he decides to offer. They know Jesus’ reputation for compassion.
Point no. 2
We should be truly thankful for the cleansing power of Christ.
As
the lepers went to do what Jesus told them, they noticed that their
leprosy was gone. They had been healed. Literally, in the going, they
were cleansed. There came a point – as they had begun to obey Jesus,
their healing took place all of a sudden. They believed Him, that is had
faith and received healing as a result, because these lepers believe,
they begin to obey and go to the village where the priests live.
Leprosy
is much like the HIV virus of our day – there is no known cure. Sin is
much the same way. There is no cure for it in anything that man can do.
Not by works of righteous which we have done, but according to His Mercy
He saved us. Jesus healed the lepers. Only Jesus can make the leper
(sinner) clean. Faith made them recover. Following Jesus make them
recover. Jesus Christ brought about their healing.
All
ten lepers realized they are healed, but only one comes all the way
back to Jesus, praising God on his mercy in healing him. Only one
returned to give thanks to Jesus: Ten lepers received the gift of
healing but only one came to thank the healer. Ten lepers were blessed
but only one bowed at Jesus feet.
Notice the “loud voice” in verse 15. The lepers have called out loudly
to ask for mercy; but only one leper offers loud thanksgiving and
praise.
Point no. 3 (Luke 17:17-18)
We should be truly thankful for Christ desire for fellowship.
Why did Jesus say that what he did, the nine did not come back?
Jesus
could have asked many events but he chooses to reveal the longing of
his heart. What did he long for? For all the men to come back and
fellowship with him by giving thanks, One of the best ways to fellowship
with Christ is to give thanks for the things that he has done for us.
Though
these nine other men were so, so happy to be healed, they didn’t return
to Jesus to publicly GIVE THANKS. They didn’t “praise God with a loud
voice and throw themselves at His feet” like the leper who did return to
give thanks to Jesus.
Thanksgiving is the point of faith which many people never consider. It is at the feet of Jesus where true thanksgiving to God is rendered, for it is through Jesus sacrifice, and not our own, that our own thanksgiving is made holy and pleasing to God.
Point no. 4
We should be truly thankful for the change he has made us
Made you well is Greek word sozo meaning to save, sozo in this context means to preserve or rescue from dangers and applications specifically safe or free from diseases.
This
passage hints at the fact that Jesus offers this leper more than
others. They receive the healing, but this Samaritan receives a deeper
salvation in addition. His faith has prompted him to return to the feet
of Jesus in thanks and that personal contact, that personal submission
signifies a soul healing that is more than skin deep.
Faith that healed the lepers was by acting in Jesus words. If they had done quick physical check to see if they were healed before
they headed off the priests’ village they would have never started. The
healing didn’t take place until after they obeyed. We sometimes want
instantaneous healing before we’ll believe that Jesus heals us. But the
faith is shown in the going. “Your faith has made you well.”
Wonderful change in the lives of the lepers has been wrought, since Jesus came into their hearts.
- The lepers looked different – no longer repulsive
- They smelled different – no more festering sores
- They walked different – because they were healthy
- They talked different – not having to cry “unclean” any longer
IN CONCLUSION:
Some things that we can be thankful in our lives
- We should be truly thankful for God’s love
- We should be truly thankful for the cleansing power of Christ
- We should be truly thankful for Christ’s desire for fellowship
- We should be truly thankful for the change He has made in us
As we express our thankfulness with words, we must live a thankful life and speak thankful words as an act of humble submission to God, whether we are prospering or suffering, because being thankful for adversity is never easy, but it is always right. And it’s right because of who God is and what He has done for us. It’s right because He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins and its right because one day we will be with Jesus in Eternity. And so may we do what is right and may we be thankful people – continually speaking words of gratitude and thanksgiving to God and to others.
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