Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole

Luke 17:11-19

Theme: Gratitude

Key verse: v.6

37 verses; 809 words

Grade level: 4.01

Outline:

I. Jesus instructs His Disciples. vs.1-10

II. Jesus cleanses the Lepers. vs.11-19

III. Jesus predicts His Return. vs.20-37

In the cleansing of these lepers we are taught the STEPS of God’s will for every sinner:

I. We See Commission. v.11

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

Before Jesus tells you to go, He went.

Jesus went where no one liked to go.

II. We See Compassion. vs.12-14

12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

Notice the number: “TEN men that were lepers.” Ten is the number of the Gentiles (see our comments on 15:8), and the tenth leper in this story is a Gentile—a Samaritan.

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

“mercy” - That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves (Websters 1828)

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

If they had stayed nothing would have happened.

When they moved, God moved.

III. We See Confession. vs.15-16

What the man did. v.15

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

What the man declared. v.16

16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

IV. We See Conversion. vs.17-19

What we learn about human nature. v.17

17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

Verses 15–18 are an insightful revelation of human nature. Human nature is unthankful for the blessings God has given (see Rom. 1:21). Here are nine Jews dying of an incurable disease. Suddenly God heals them when they do what a man tells them, and they forget to go back and thank the man? But that’s human nature.

What we learn about Holy nature. v.18

Why Jesus calls him a stranger. v.18

18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Every modern version removes “stranger” in order to use their preferred “foreigner”.

Before they tell you the King James Bible was wrong by saying stranger, it uses the word “foreigner” twice (Exodus 12:45; Deuteronomy 15:3).

So why did Jesus call him a stranger? A stranger is someone you do not know.

Why Jesus says he was made whole. v.19

19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

“thy faith hath made thee whole”

Phrase occurs 5 times:

Mat 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Woman with an issue of blood (also in Mark 5:34 and Luke 8:48).

Mrk 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

A blind man.

Luk 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

A leper.

The modern versions that replaced “stranger” with “foreigner” also change “whole” to “well”.

Why? This man was already well!

The Lord did something else for this man: Jesus saved him and made him whole!

Conclusion: