It is sometimes very difficult to maintain a sense of perspective. At times like the present coronavirus pandemic it is much easier to lament the things we cannot do or cannot have rather than appreciate the blessings we enjoy. As we reflect on our own circumstances today there is a short incident recorded in Luke 17:11-18 that not only was applicable to the people of Jesus’ day but is equally fitting for reflection in each subsequent generation.
Luke writes:
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ 14 When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’ 19 Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’ (Luke 17:11-18)
It is not difficult to see the point Jesus was making, but rather than thinking simply of accepting the truth He states, it might be worth reflecting on why it was so difficult for the majority of people in the story to accept that they needed a reality check on their lack of gratitude to Jesus. What do we see here in this encounter in this unnamed village?
1.The great need (Luke 17:11-12) Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance…
Leprosy was one of the most dreaded diseases in the world. It was incurable. The limited medical facilities of that day were powerless to assist those who contracted the disease. What makes matters worse, those who were identified as lepers were forced to live outside the community in isolation or with other lepers. It was a miserable existence waiting to die over a lengthy period of time. It was lock down indefinitely with no hope of a return to normal life. Our period of lock down is temporary- praise God for that!
2. The eloquent appeal (Luke 17:13) 13 and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ The word desperation comes to mind here. They had no other source of hope but Jesus. Maybe like them you didn’t come to Jesus as soon as you should have done? The most important thing is that they then and each one of us now put our faith in Him to help us live our lives today. They needed physical healing – what do you and I need Jesus to help us with today?
3. The immediate response (Luke17:14) 14 When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed. The people Jesus healed in His ministry obtained their healing in different ways. Why? Because God deals with us personally, not as a number in a system; all ten men followed Jesus’ instruction and were healed. We have to be honest that life is not always so simple. What happened here is extraordinary with each one being healed. The important issue here is that they trusted Jesus implicitly with their lives. Will you do the same?
4. The unexpected reactions (Luke 10:15-19) 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’ 19 Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’ Why did only the Samaritan return to say ‘thank-you’? No-one can say for certain why all nine Jews forgot. The most important question to ask is this: am I thankful to God and other peoplefor the good things I receive? As a practical exercise – to whom can you and me say ‘thank-you’ today for something they did for us?
Our song for reflection today is an older hymn: ‘Like a river glorious’
Brian Talbot