In our daily devotionals, we focus on the acts of the Lord Jesus' supernatural power during His time on earth. In our passage today, we read about the kind of faith that pleases God. We're not referring to faith in faith—that does nothing to please the Father. Faith in God and in the One He has sent is what truly pleases Him (John 6:29; Hebrews 11:6).
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well" (Luke 17:11-19).
Lepers were required to remain outside the city and community, ringing a bell or crying "unclean, unclean” when someone approached them (Leviticus 13:45-46). The only way they could rejoin the community and social network within the city was by obtaining the all-clear stamp of approval from the priest (Leviticus 14:2).
Verse 12 tells us that the ten lepers stood at a distance, shouting to Christ for pity. It’s interesting to note that Jesus required them to act on His Word and do what a healed leper would do, even though they had not been healed yet. He asked them to take steps of faith and trust His Word. Jesus didn't lay hands on them, even though He had previously healed lepers by touching them (Luke 5:13). Instead, they were to present themselves to the priest for examination, which demanded faith in His Word. The Lord healed them of their leprosy as they journeyed to the priest. As they began their journey, it must have seemed illogical to them to seek a healing certificate from the priest while their faces and limbs were contorted with leprosy. To some, faith in God looks illogical. One of the ten was a Samaritan, a person typically disdained by the Jews, but such factors matter less when you are suffering.
What do you think the Samaritan was thinking as he began his journey to see the Jewish priest? Could he have been suspicious of Jesus? He recognized that Jesus was a Jew by His clothing. At what moment did the miracle of healing occur? The wonder of wonders! As they traveled in obedience, imagine their surprise to discover that, while they were walking, their fingers began to grow, their toes suddenly filled their shoes, and they felt the skin on their faces soften, and their noses reshape! One of them, the Samaritan, was overwhelmed with praise to God and could not hold back his joy. He separated himself from the others because he needed to find Jesus and thank Him. This man ran back, and when he saw Christ, he knew how to express his gratitude. He let his emotions flow and shouted praises to God (v. 15). He approached Jesus and fell to the ground (v. 16), joyously proclaiming his praise. He acted on his faith and trust in Jesus' Word, witnessing the power of God at work in his life as a result. His gratitude must have touched the heart of the Lord! Let’s always remember to thank God for everything He does for us.
Let me challenge you: Think of a situation that needs resolution; it may seem impossible to you but dare to believe that God can work through your simple faith. Is anything too difficult for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14). Call out to Him and ask for the faith to believe He will accomplish what you request. Then praise Him loudly! Keith Thomas
Taken from The Gospel of Luke, Study 45, Ten Healed of Leprosy.
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