Luke 17:11-19 Now on HIS way to Jerusalem, JESUS traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As HE was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met HIM. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “JESUS, MASTER, have pity on us!” When HE saw them, HE said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising GOD in a loud voice. He threw himself at JESUS’ feet and thanked HIM—and he was a Samaritan. JESUS asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to GOD except this foreigner?” Then HE said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well. [New International Translation]
[The King James translation of Luke 17:19 states “…thy faith hath made thee whole.]
Discussion
In Luke 17:11-19, we are given a lesson in “Giving Thanks and Praising GOD.” According to Luke by giving thanks to GOD and praising GOD, we enter into the right relationship with GOD and receive GOD’s spiritual healing.
Luke 17, describes ten lepers, each having a physical disease called leprosy. Leprosy was a harsh, isolating disease. It was also easily identifiable. According to Leviticus 13:38 and 13:43 sometimes skin coloring, the white spots, or swollen sores on the head or forehead, would be some of the markers that would help identify a person as a leper. But so there would be no doubt, a person with leprosy had to “self-identify” themselves as carrying this physical disease. Those with leprosy were required to wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face, and if that were not enough, the leper had to cry out “Unclean!” “Unclean!” whenever they encountered other people because leprosy was contagious.
There are some, who believe that to be a Samaritan was to be the equivalent of a “social or religious leper.” Samaritan was looked down upon during Biblical times. They were not considered “pure” because their ancestors had married foreign women. For example, during the time of Nehemiah, because of prejudice and dislike of Samaritans, Samaritans were not even allowed to serve as priests in the Temple in Jerusalem. See Nehemiah 13:28-30. As a result, Samaritans worshipped at a different “temple,” in Samaria. This difference was yet another reason why the Jews disliked Samaritans and thought that Samaritans and their “religion” “unclean.”
So, to be a Samaritan with leprosy in Biblical times was, in essence, to be “a double leper.” However, according to Luke, all of the lepers were healed on their physical condition, but only the Samaritan “came back,” and was made whole.
Unlike physical condition, spiritual conditions are not so easily detectable. Those with spiritual sicknesses do not “self-identify.” They often do not stand out. There are no identifiable markers, like sores. People with spiritual diseases can go anywhere, worship anywhere without detection by other people. They can melt in a crowd. Only, GOD knows each person’s spiritual diseases.
When the Samaritan, praised GOD, worshiped GOD, acknowledging GOD’s superiority over his life and reconnected with GOD and gave thanks, in addition to physical healing, the Samaritan received spiritual healing and was made spiritually whole. The Samaritans “Thanks” didn’t just come from his mouth, it came from his spirit.
The Samaritan’s praise was real and the Samaritan’s praise was pure. As a result, only the Samaritan received whole healing (physically and spiritually), when he opened himself to GOD and gave thanks and praised GOD. Only the Samaritan was blessed twice!
GIVE THANKS & PRAISE GOD
This week as you celebrate Thanksgiving, GIVE THANKS and PRAISE GOD
GIVE THANKS and PRAISE to GOD for the ancestors
GIVE THANKS and PRAISE to GOD for the lives of those who will be missing around the table this year.
GIVE THANKS and PRAISE to GOD for the new births in your family, the new friendships and the new relationships.
GIVE THANKS and PRAISE to GOD for everything that GOD has already done and the exceedingly, abundant, unimaginable things GOD does and will do.
PRAISE GOD from whom ALL blessings flow!
And, BE BLESSED and BE BLESSED!
