Luke 17:11-19 | Psalm 100
This is an interesting healing story. The main point seems to be that only one of those healed returned in gratitude. But a tangential interesting factor is that Jesus actually healed all ten men.
Sometimes Jesus heals someone based upon an element of faith. (And in fact, he says these exact words to the man who returned.) But here, he heals widely and without any requirement of faith (though he does require them to go and see the priests - not to be ignored).
What are the implications?
Many churches are in the business of compassionate ministry. Some do so for particular reasons, even as a means of church growth. In the end, Jesus’ ultimate goal is indeed that all would know and live in the bounds of the kingdom of God. But he did not withhold healing from these men based upon it.
One might suppose that the other nine “lost” their healing, though the text offers nothing toward that conclusion. (An often unthought of factor in all of Jesus’ healings is that it seems each healed person eventually grew old and died - even Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead.)
The grace of God is liberally given in the gospels. All 5000 people ate the multiplied food. All twelve disciples sat at the Table. The sower spread the seed even where it would not be accepted. The sun and rain pour down on all. The salvation of the cross covers each person born into humanity.
(Yes, yes…such things must be accepted. But the point here is that they are offered to all. Christ has not asked us to be gatekeepers of his grace.)
Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, they raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, show us mercy!”
When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they left, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus replied, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
Psalm 100
Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with celebration!
Come before him with shouts of joy!
Know that the Lord is God—
he made us; we belong to him.[a]
We are his people,
the sheep of his own pasture.
Enter his gates with thanks;
enter his courtyards with praise!
Thank him! Bless his name!
Because the Lord is good,
his loyal love lasts forever;
his faithfulness lasts generation after generation.
Prayer
God,
Help me to offer love to everyone. It’s hard, I’m sure you of all people know, of course.
It’s hard to continue loving the individual who wants nothing of it. There are times to walk away, right? Jesus said as much. Something about dust and feet.
But I do want - as you demonstrate in Christ - to love all.
So help me, God.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.