As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, He reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As He entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you. “
Luke 17:11-19
Now we are on the road again and on the way to Jerusalem. In this pericope we have another healing from leprosy. In Gem 818 we covered the story of the first healing of a leper in Luke’s Gospel – chapter 5:12-16. Why do we have this story here in this location? – after the close to the Lazarus story and prior to the discussion of the end times and the signs of the Coming Kingdom. There are many interesting elements to this story. So much so that I am going to leave it with you to see what you can see from the text before I lead you in pulling it apart. I would suggest that you look back at Gem 818 to get a better idea of the background to this story by studying the earlier healing from leprosy.
We need to sort out why Luke placed this story here in the first instance. There is a problem with the position of it if it is supposed to be chronological at this point. There is also some debate among the experts as to what the purpose is with this pericope.
- Why did Luke choose to include it?
- What is it connected to?
Some see it as a bridge between the Lazarus story and the matters related to the Coming Kingdom. Others think it is just another story in the midst of a random collection of Luke’s choices. You know what I think about that. I don’t think Luke has included anything in a random way. So what makes this story so important that it was included? It will help you to look back at the story of the other leper who was healed to pick up on the similarities and differences. This story (today’s Gem) has a number of unique little touches that make it very interesting. See if you can find them.
That is all I am going to do for you for today. I have given you enough input over the last days without requiring you to do anything for it. Now is the time for you do some digging of your own. See what you can find out from this passage before I will begin the process of dissection.
Happy hunting.
If you don’t have time to pray and read the Scriptures you are busier than God intends you to be.
Ian Vail
Do you put more into your belly than you put into your brain? Study the Word of God.
Ian Vail
Think how much you have to learn to make up for what you keep forgetting.
Bob Gass
Reading God’s Word is less dependent on our schedule and more dependent on our desire and discipline.
Woodrow Kroll
No Bible, No Breakfast, No Exceptions
Tim LaHaye