Thankfulness is Expected

Sermon Title: Thankfulness Is Expected! (Show Slide 1)

Sermon Text: Luke 17:11–19—Jesus Healing the Ten Lepers

Introduction

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends and that you got the chance to show your gratitude to the Lord and others in a special way. Today we have a special family service and we have the kids joining with us and so I want to share some interesting facts about life as a child in the early 1620s. Kids, how about we take a time traveling machine, if there is one that is working, and pretend for a moment as go back to the 1620s. You are a pilgrim child and you have arrived in a new place. How do you think life would be? If you were a pilgrim child, life was all about survival. Food, clothing and shelter were the most important things in life. You would not go to school because there were none. Some of you in the audience would like that right? If your parents could read, they might use the Bible to teach you how to read. In the area of bathing, you would only bathe a few times a year. You wouldn’t smell very good, but then neither would anyone else! Being a pilgrim child, you would be taught to obey your parents and never question anything they told you do. If you did misbehave, your parent might put you into a medieval stock (Show slide 2) and everyone would know that you were in trouble. How embarrassing!

When it came to sleeping, your bed was a straw mattress on a dirty floor. All your brothers and sisters might share the same bed with you. Nobody had much privacy. When it came to work you would start working at a very young age from sunup to sundown alongside your parents. If you were a boy, you might have to protect the fields where seeds were just planted and keep the birds away by throwing rocks most of the day. If you were a girl, you might sew and do all the house chores as mothers did. Sounds like a lot of fun doesn’t it? Play time would be limited because you were very busy doing chores. Some of the games you would enjoy playing were games like hide-and-seek, marbles, blind man’s bluff (Show slide 3) and jump rope. You would go to church all day on Sunday (Show Slide 4). You would sit very quietly on a hard bench and listen for hours. No phone, no ipad, no snack, no coloring pages and no falling asleep. Now, how many of you would be happy and thankful to live like the pilgrim kids did? Not many of us would, but despite the hardships and challenges they faced, the pilgrims with a grateful heart gave thanks to the Lord despite their circumstances. (Show Slide 5) The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to “15 Rejoice always, 16 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Things like rejoicing, praying and giving thanks are expected of all of us believers today. They are part of God’s will for our lives!

Today, we turn our attention to a story in Luke 17:11–19. Follow along as I read from the text: (Show Slide 6)

Luke 17:11–19 (ESV) 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.”

(Show Slide 7) As we unfold the story we are going to learn these main points included in your bulletin outline: We are going to see how…

1. Mercy requested (v. 13)

2. Mercy granted (v. 14)

3. Mercy recognized (vv.15-18)

4. Our response toward God (v.19)—Our personal application or takeaway from the story.

In verse 11, we learn that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. This would be his last time to travel from Galilee to Jerusalem before his death. He was passing alongside, traveling between Samaria and Galilee. Earlier in Luke 9:51-52, we learned that Jesus was not received in Samaria. He had sent messengers ahead to get things ready in a Samaritan village but the locals refused to welcome the disciples as they were headed for Jerusalem. He was rejected by the Samaritans in that village, so therefore he had to go around it and take the longer route to Jerusalem.

In this previous encounter with the Samaritans, in verse 55, Jesus rebuked the disciples because they wanted to call fire and brimstone from heaven on their foreign neighbors. He reminded them of His mission in Luke 9:56 “for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”

In our story today Jesus encounters ten lepers, ten men whom society had given up on and rejected. We find this story only here in the Gospel of Luke. Before we focus on the story let’s talk about this disease called leprosy. (Show Slide 8) According to a Cleveland Clinic article, leprosy is a bacterial infection, that can damage your skin, nerves, muscles, eyes and respiratory system that can lead to permanent disabilities and health risks. Leprosy still exists today and there are about 200,000 people who are diagnosed each year around the world. Today this disease is called Hansen’s disease. In Jesus’ day however, there was no cure or medicine for leprosy as there is today. We can be thankful to God for that!

In Jesus’ time, to be a leper was an example of a social stigma (there was this negative and unfair judgment which led to discrimination, labeling, separation and loss of status). In religious circles, lepers were viewed as sinful people, because leprosy was a mark of sin or a divine punishment from God. We see that in Miriam’s story in the O.T. Last week we heard the story of Naaman, a gentile who was miraculously healed of his leprosy by responding in faith and obedience and dipping himself 7 times in the Jordan river. Leprosy was seen as punishment for those who sinned, as we heard about what happened to Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who was struck with it for his greed which affected his family for all generations to come. Leprosy was associated with exclusion, isolation, segregation, punishment, discrimination and even death! Not something you would look for in life. (AI overview article)

As a leper, you lost your family, your home, your friends, your status, your health and finally your life. There was no hope and so in the midst of all these hardships, these men in their desperation, they turn to Jesus and cry for mercy. (Show Slide 9)This brings us to our 1st point: 1. Mercy Requested (v.13)

These lepers had no other options, so let’s give Jesus a try they might have said. We have heard about his miraculous healings and power. Maybe he can help us too! What do we have to lose? The ten men…they cried out for “mercy”. They shouted because they were at a distance. They cried out for all to hear….“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” (v.13)

Now, according to the Levitical Jewish Laws (Lev. 13 & 14) lepers were told to stand at a distance. Because leprosy was contagious, people who had it, were required to try to stay away from other people and to announce their presence if they had to come near by shouting “unclean…unclean”(Lev. 13:45-46). They were given strict rules to follow and were also segregated from the community. Leprosy marked you for life, it was a picture of uncleanness and thus a leper was not only completely distanced from family, friends and society the person was also not allowed to worship at the temple for the person was ceremonially unclean. It distanced you physically, socially and even spiritually.

In the Gospel of Luke, this was the second time that lepers were healed (cf. 5:12-16; Matt. 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45). In all the stories that we find in the Bible that deal with leprosy, all are described as miracles or divine intervention. In both cases Jesus instructs the men to show themselves to the priests, who upon inspecting the person(s), would certify the person cleaned or healed and then tell them to make a sacrificial or specific offering to God (Lev. 13:2).

Ten men, all were outcasts, isolated and hopeless. Having accepted this reality, the men turn to Jesus, but when Jesus walks by, they do not ask for healing specifically — they ask for mercy. The leper address Jesus as , Master, Lord (kyrie); Simon had also used the same word (Luke 5:8) (Martin, A John. TBKC p. 216)

And yet even from a distance, Jesus hears. He saw them and heard their cry for help. Friends, we are all in need of God’s mercy. Some of us here today might feel distant from God—by sin, shame or other reason. We feel that God is distant as we are going through difficulties, sickness and sufferings. Know that the distance does not keep Jesus from hearing your cry. He knows what you are going through and He is there to extend mercy when you call to Him, regardless of who you are and how far you may feel! Jesus told people, I have come to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18). Luke, in including the Samaritan, points out that God’s mercy and grace is for everybody, no matter what labels society puts on you. So, what happened as they cried out for help? Jesus responded! He will do the same thing for you! This brings us to the next point. (Show Slide 10)

2. Mercy granted (v.14)

Something else we learn from the story is that God requires faith and obedience in those whom seek His help. He commands them to Go. “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” (v.14) See also Mark 1:44

It was as simple as that! The men had already taken their 1st step of faith calling out to Jesus, now they must take the next step and “Go”. In this situation Jesus heals the group from a distance. Jesus doesn’t heal them immediately. He gives them a command that requires faith. But they were still sick when Jesus spoke to them. The healing only happened as they were going to their destination. They had genuine faith, for they obeyed Christ’s command even before they saw that they were healed. They did their part—which was to obey; and Jesus did the rest. He healed them physically and fully from the disease of leprosy. Faith triggers obedience or a response! Our faith often requires walking in obedience before we see the results. Lawrence O. Richards in his commentary put it this way: “(Faith) It impels us to obey before we see the full evidence of God’s work within us.” (p. 690 BTC). This is what it means to have the right kind of faith, wholesome faith, that Pastor Joel mentioned last week. It’s not the amount of faith but the quality of faith that Jesus desires for you and me.

Healing came as they were going on the road. Faith is not just believing — it is stepping forward even when you haven’t seen the miracle yet.

Let me ask you this: How is your faith in Jesus? Is it shaky? Is it strong? Is your faith in God so strong that you act on what he says even before you see evidence that it will work? Are you waiting for a sign before you obey? Jesus says, “Go.” Start walking. The men walked and didn’t doubt Jesus! They went! Their faith healed them physically as they responded in obedience.

This brings us to the next point. (Show slide 11)

3. Mercy recognized (vv. 15-18)

“Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back…” (v.15)

Jesus healed all ten lepers, but only one returned to thank Him. Up to this point we don’t know their identity or background. An unexpectant person, a foreigner, a Samaritan Luke tells us came back to thank Jesus. The other nine, who were Jews did not. The nine were so focused on the destination that they forgot to recognize the true identity of Jesus. They went their way to present themselves to the priests as they were commanded to do. They did not return to thank Jesus!

Why is that significant in this story? In the story, the unexpected response of the Samaritan stood out because he was an outsider in the Kingdom of God. All ten men obeyed but not all ten showed their gratitude toward Jesus.

Why does Luke focus on this foreigner, the Samaritan….because he recognized that Jesus was bigger than the miracle itself. The Samaritan understood the significance of what had been done for him. Is it possible to receive God’s great gifts with an ungrateful spirit or heart?—9 of the 10 lepers did so. That is a pretty low percentage of gratitude!

Only the thankful man, the foreigner, figured it out that his faith had played a role in his healing. Do you recognize God’s power in our life and what He is doing? As he returns to see Jesus, the Bible tells us that he was praising God and he threw himself at Jesus’ feet, a posture of worship! Do we have this same posture or way of response? The Samaritan, the understood that Jesus is God, for he placed faith in Him. We don’t know if he understood Jesus to be the Messiah but regardless, he knew that Jesus was more than a person. He was the one that had delivered Him from this disease.

17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? (this question still echoes today and reminds us of how we can easily forget to say thank you God) 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Jesus’ questions indirectly imply that we ought to praise and thank God when we experience his healing, mercy and grace. These questions imply that Jesus was expecting all of them to come back. Thankfulness was expected of all to thank Him but only one came back, a foreigner. It was an outsider, who responded in faith. The lack of gratitude by the other nine was typical of the rejection of His ministry by the Jewish nation. They rejoiced on the healings, feedings and miracles but failed to see Jesus as the Messiah and God, who had the power to cleanse the nation physically and spiritually. Are you making the same mistake? Do you see Jesus only as a great teacher, healer and not recognize His true identity as Messiah and Lord! The Samaritan recognized the mercy shown to him, but most importantly the Healer, Jesus the Christ! Gratitude often comes from the least expected places, Samaria. Sometimes those who’ve experienced the most grace are the ones who understand it best.

This example challenges us to think about our own response to Jesus. This brings us to our final point: (Show Slide 12)

4. Our response toward God (v.19)

The Samaritan, a spiritual outsider, was grateful and gave praise and thanks and worshiped Jesus when he was physically healed. The one who was hated and rejected the most of the group, was the one who responded with the deepest gratitude. Jesus said to the leper as He sent him on his way again, “Your faith has made you well.” (v.19). This is a phrase Jesus often used when he healed people not just physically but also spiritually. Jesus not only meant that his body had been made well, but that his spirit had been made well also. In our story today 10 were healed physically, but 1 was healed spiritually. Besides the physical healing, he also was saved that day! He was made whole! The Greek word "sozo" (Greek: σώζω) used here is a comprehensive term for salvation that goes beyond just forgiveness. It includes being saved, healed, delivered, preserved, and made whole. He was made complete as he went about his way. That day he had not only received a miracle but also received the gift of salvation! He experienced salvation.

Is it possible to receive gifts from God and still miss the Giver? Is it possible to be healed in the body but not be made whole in your soul? Our story is a testimony to that! The Samaritan, the foreigner, the lowest of the low, received eternity from Jesus, the eternal God.

How about you? Have you responded to Jesus yet? Have you put your faith and trust in Him to heal you not just physically but spiritually too? Have you experienced His salvation?

When we experience His salvation, we have an attitude of thankfulness, we grow in understanding the mercy and grace that God has shown us individually and collectively. God is pleased when we thank Him for the things He does on our behalf. Our gratitude should be a choice that comes from a grateful heart and truly understanding who Jesus is to us personally.

Our salvation does not depend on what we do after Christ has saved us….but it leads us to have a response where we thank and praise God for what He has done in our lives. We want to give Him the glory for all the things he has done. These are the good works that we must respond in. (Show slides 13-15 in order as I read them)

Psalm 100:4-5 reminds us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” The author of Psalms says this in Psalm 69:30 “I will praise God’s name in song and magnify or glorify him with thanksgiving.”

God desires for young boys and girls, people of all ages to be thankful every day as Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:15 to be “thankful”. God is not just looking for people to ask for help — He is looking for hearts that return and worship Him for who He truly is. He is looking for individual to respond in faith and obedience and glorifying God when they experience his goodness and faithfulness in their lives.

What does this passage teach us? As we cry out to Jesus, and walk in obedience of His Word, we must not forget to return and give thanks to the Giver of all good things and show our faith in action but responding in gratitude, praise and worship. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, we experience God’s salvation, which makes us whole and allows us to have a personal relationship with Jesus daily. Now that ALONE is enough for us to say “THANK YOU JESUS!” Amen!

As we focus on this topic of gratitude today, one of our family members, Linda, will come up and share an encouraging testimony of how she has experienced God faithfulness and goodness in her life.

Resources & Commentary Studies:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23043-leprosy-hansens-disease

Online Article: If you were a pilgrim child

Hale, Thomas. The Applied New Testament Commentary

Martin, A. John. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: The Gospel of Luke

Richards, O Lawrence. Bible Teacher’s Commentary: The Gospel of Luke

www. TheModernMary.com Article: 9 Thanksgiving Bible verses to encourage thankfulness