Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
|
|
|
|
Scripture |
Luke 17:11-1911 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, 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 made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” |
Devotional |
As Jesus enters the village, the ten lepers approach him, they call out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus tells them to go show themselves to the priest. As they were on their way they were made clean. The lepers were given a command even before they had any evidence they were healed. This is the same command given Naaman the Syrian in Kings 5:1-14. They are told what to do before they are healed. The healing of the leper is packed with insights about healing. First, Jesus is not afraid of contamination. He does not regard holiness as separation, as did the Pharisees and Essenes. He understands it rather as the mighty power of God to heal. He rejects the notion that external things defile or pollute a person's essential being (Mark 7:15; Matthew 15:11). 1 According to the Law of Moses, the leper must show him or herself to the priest to certify that they were clean before they could become part of the society again. Jesus told the lepers to go show themselves to the priest so why would he be surprised that they did not return? Could it be that the author of Luke got it wrong? Is there a chance that the author misquotes Jesus? The Samaritan is different. What could he accomplish by showing himself to the priest? The priest would not have received him. He returns to the only priest he knew, Jesus. Kari Jo Verhulst describes the Samaritan’s situation. The word "foreigner" in verse 18 is the same word that appeared on the "keep out" signs on the inner barrier of the temple. This was to preserve the sanctity of the temple and prevent it from being defiled. Lepers and Samaritans alike were a threat to the purity. Jesus issued a new code of purity—one that understood holiness to come from the heart; one that demanded the inclusion of all of God's children. 2 This parable tells me that Jesus always welcomes us foreigners even when society has excluded us. We always have a priest in Jesus Christ! What is your experience? Our healing is incomplete until we come back to serve in gratitude. Who are the people in your life who have been agents of healing for you? Have you glorified God for your healing? Have you thanked the people? Prayer: Lord, we are thankful you heal us even when we are outsiders and foreigners. We know we always have a priest to go to in time of need. 1 WalterWink www.sojo.net/index.cfm?=resources.sermon_prep&item=LTw_921049_CPro
|