The Thankful Leper

1. Read: Luke 17:11-19

2. About the Text:

1) This story is unique to the book of Luke.

2) Perhaps the healing of ten lepers piqued Luke’s interest because he was a physician.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. The lepers cried out to be healed from a physical sickness.

1) They encountered/confronted him; they sought an audience.

2) They stood afar off because they were unclean (Leviticus 13:45-46).

3) They spoke repeatedly in a loud voice: “Master Jesus, have mercy on us!”

4) The word “Master” here means commander, overseer, boss – one with authority.

2. Are we crying out to be healed from our spiritual sickness?

1) Luke 18:13 – “God, by merciful to me a sinner.”

2) 1 Timothy 1:15 – “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

3) Only Jesus has the authority to cleanse us (Matthew 28:18).

1. Jesus saw them only after they began to shout to him for his attention.

2. He commanded them to go show themselves to the priests.

1) He did not approach or touch them in this case.

2) He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”

3) This was required by Leviticus 13.

3. Are we listening to the Lord’s commands for our lives today?

1) Jesus sees us too! He knows our hearts (Acts 1:24).

2) “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

1. The lepers complied with the Lord’s command.

1) The text says, “As they went, they were cleansed.”

2) Jesus did not apply His power until they obeyed.

3) Their faith was demonstrated in their obedience.

2. Are we complying with the Lord’s command? As we go, we will be healed also.

1) Jesus cannot start helping us until we begin to obey (Hebrews 5:8-9).

2) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22).

3) “Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (James 2:22).

1. The lowly leper came back to Jesus to thank him for healing him.

1) He saw that he was healed and returned.

2) He glorified God in a loud voice.

3) He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and gave thanks.

4) He was a Samaritan, a foreigner.

2. The humble come back to thank Jesus.

1) “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

2) “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

1. The Lord asked about the other nine who were healed.

1) He said, “Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”

2) “Were there no others found returning to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

3) He said, “Your faith has made you well.”

2. Are we coming back to Jesus to thank him?

1) “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7).

2) “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25).

3) “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

1. Are we thankful to Jesus?

2. Invitation