Knowing The Word in Luke 17:11-19, Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

Jesus enters an unknown village and encounters ten lepers. They keep their distance as they are supposed to. He orders them to show themselves to a priest, which is the normal procedure a leper follows upon being cured. As they obey his command they are cleansed. One of them praises God, knowing God’s hand is in his healing, and returns to Jesus and falls on his face. He is treating Jesus as God, and Jesus does not stop him. Then we find out he is a Samaritan. Oops, he’s not even Jewish! The others are so caught up in their new happiness that they have no time to thank God. Did they have the same faith as the Samaritan? What is going on in this one man’s life that is different than the others? Do you see God’s hand in your life and give him thanks?

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Prayer:

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God

the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and

undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring

you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns

for ever and ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer