TEXT: LUKE 17:11-20 KJV
A. THE LEPER’S CONTACT WITH THE LORD – LUKE 17:12-13 KJV
1. They met Him as he goes about doing good – Acts 10:38
2. They couldn’t come close for obvious reasons yet he listened to their petitions – Luke 17:12 KJV
3. They cried and called for mercy – Luke 17:13 KJV
B. THE LEPERS’ STATE BEFORE THE HEALING – LK 17: 14 KJV
What were their conditions as they proceeded towards seeing the priests? Lev 13:45-46 KJV
1. They had rented clothes indicating loss of glory, nakedness - Lev 13:45 KJV
2. They had their head bare, no hair indicating withdrawal of glory and authority – the hair was a symbol of glory. - Lev 13:45
3. They had to cover their upper lips indicating loss of voice and loss of recognition in the society - Lev 13:45
4. They had to be crying “unclean” anytime they had to move on the road – indicating a change of name and identity by self - Lev 13:45
5. They were labelled and defiled and polluted – indicating that they were not fit for congregating with men for spiritual purposes - Lev 13:46 KJV
6. They had to dwell/live all alone by themselves - Lev 13:46
7. They had to be ostracised – indicating that they had to live outside of the community of men - Lev 13:46 KJV
But they were healed as they pled for mercy.
C. THE LONE THANKSGIVER – LUKE 17:15-16 KJV
1. He acknowledged the healing - Luke 17:15 KJV
2. He returned to source of the healing - Luke 17:15 KJV
3. He testified of the healing in praise - Luke 17:15 KJV
4. He worshipped and gave thanks for the healing - Luke 17:16 KJV
D. THE LORD’S COMMENTS – LK 17:17-19 KJV
1. His comments show that he expected gratitude from the ten healed lepers but only one person returned.- Luke 17:17 KJV
2. His comment indicated that he expected gratitude from the “pious” Jewish lepers and possibly least from the Samaritan that came.
3. His comments indicated that he was surprised that the nine Jewish healed lepers did not think it worthwhile to return to give thanks; only the Samaritan came.
4. His comments showed that testimonies and thanksgiving sealed of miracles - Luke 17:19 KJV
5. His comments showed that God expects and honour a grateful heart that does not take God’s blessings for granted.
Ps 68:19 KJV, Ps 103:2 KJV