Only One Came Back Series

“Only One Came Back”

Luke 17:11-19

The Prayer Of Ten

As we look at this passage today we will see a prayer that was answered and then see the one who was truly grateful.

Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

There is no mention as to the exact location but it is interesting that Samaria is mentioned first.

Was that because they were in Samaria first on their way to Galilee?

Well no real speculation so we will move on.

Luke 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

Once again we know nothing about the ten lepers until we get to verse 16 and we find that at least one was from Samaria.

1. Although we know nothing of their linage, we do know that they all had leprosy

2. We also can observe that they were ALL outcast because of their disease.

3. It would not be uncommon to hear that there were cruel actions toward an outcast and so to prevent this it looks like there were ten that came together.

Still outcast with a deadly disease.

I find that when a group of disgruntled gets together there are a lot of excuses and anger passed around.

a. This can’t be right, I don’t deserve this.

b. I believe that God is mad at me so I will be mad at Him.

c. If this is God’s way of getting my attention, I reject it!

And the list could go on for weeks.

There met him ten men that were lepers –

Some suggest that they heard that Jesus was passing by

While others believe they were gathered together for any pity that could be shown to them like food or clothing…

We do not know

But this we do know that when they saw Jesus they said something.

Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

In verse 13 we see our simple prayer.

Six words; “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

a. It really does not take long prayers to reach the ears of Jesus.

b. There were no deals struck or vows made.

c. Jesus = "Jehovah is salvation" Jesus - the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate

d. Master – in authority, to cause or make to stand, of position.

e. Have mercy – (root eleos [el’-eh-os]) kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted,

EL = God is our mercy and without him there can be no mercy!

Luke 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And when he saw them, he said unto them,....

When upon their loud cry he looked up, and towards them, and saw what a condition they were in, his compassion moved towards them, and he ordered them to do as follows;

Go show yourselves unto the priests.

It is the business of the priest by law to inspect into this matter, to see whether a person was healed, or not.

These ten lepers could not be viewed and examined by the priest together, but one after another; for so is the tradition of the Jews

And it came to pass that as they went, they were cleansed;… before they came to the priests, whilst they were in the way, they at once found themselves entirely healed of their disease;

It may be observed, that as these lepers had been cured while they were on their way of their duty, going, as Christ ordered them.

So it is true in salvation; that cleansing takes place in the midst of obedience.

Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Call yes, but know this; salvation is waiting for the whosoever to call.

Luke 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

There is a question as to when did this man turn back; before he went to the priest or after?

We don’t know and frankly it matters very little, because the High Priest had already made him whole.

Loud voice - megas (meg’-as) large, abundant

Glorified God - doxazo (dox-ad’-zo) doxology = to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate , to honour,

Looks like this man cared more about his healing than he did about the others who never acknowledged the one who healed.

Anybody else here been forgiven, healed from this sinful nature?

I wonder if we ought to show a little doxology from time to time?