Faith Hath Made Thee Whole

HoHum:

There was a shipwreck off the coast of Evanston, Illinois, many years ago. The students of Northwestern University came to the rescue. One student, Edward Spenser, personally saved the lives of 17 persons that day. Years later a reporter was writing a follow up story on the event, and went to interview the now elderly Spenser. When asked what was the one thing that stood out about the incident in his mind, Spenser replied: “I remember that of the 17 people I saved that day, not one of them ever thanked me.”

WBTU:

As we get close to Thanksgiving, I think of this episode from the life of Jesus- Luke 17:11-19

Look at these questions of Jesus- Vs. 17-18. This made disciples embarrassed and Jesus upset

Thesis: Let’s look at this account from several different angles

For instances:

Leprosy

There is a cure for this today but not in Jesus’ day. Left untreated, this disease attacks the extremities of the body until they are deformed. Sometimes they disappear altogether and one is left without hands or feet, and if one should survive long enough, without arms or legs. These 10 men looked forward to nothing but increasing pain and deformity and death, the sooner the better. Leprosy was thought to be highly contagious. Every leper was required to announce his coming by shouting, “Unclean!” What a burden that would be?

Seeing Jesus, stood at a distance vs. 12. Not sure but if the wind was blowing, they were required to stand at least 50 yards away so they had to call out in a loud voice vs. 13. Is it any wonder that there has always seemed to be a similarity between leprosy and sin? Sin has often been referred to as “the leprosy of the soul.” What loneliness sin brings to people! How it cuts them off from God, from those they love. How progressive its course! How deadly its outcome!

Samaritan

We know that one was a Samaritan- vs. 16. Oh how this disease brought people together who ordinarily wouldn’t be together at all. Jesus is along the border between Samaria and Galilee- vs. 11. The Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with each other- hated each other. We know that when war or calamity strikes an area, often the petty differences that divide people are forgotten. It’s a shame that misfortune accomplishes what good fortune ought to accomplish.

How good it is to be together with people who have been blessed by the Savior. Because we know Christ and love him; because of the good things that have happened to us. These ought to be the things that unite us. How sad that this world is more united by misfortune than by good fortune. Tragedy brings out the best and the worst in people.

Ingratitude

Part of the story that stands out. Where are the other nine? Jesus did not ask this because he did not know. He knows. We can only guess, but I don’t think our guesses will be far off.

A. One of the 9 had gone to celebrate. Gone to the local tavern, to the local brothel, to the... well, the places of low esteem. Would we be wrong to guess that at least one of the 9 was ungrateful because of sin? “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13, NIV. Sin blocks thankfulness and gratitude. All 9 were this way?

B. One might have said, “I have to look to my business. When I got this disease I left it in the hands of my brother in law and I can only think of what a mess he has caused.” We cannot argue with a concern for business. Is it not a good thing for people to be concerned with their business? Can we find fault with a person who is concerned about the state of their affairs? We can if that takes precedence over more important things in life! He chose something good. He might have chosen something better.

C. A few hurried off to renew old acquaintances. “I’ve got to find my old friend; a friend I have not been able to talk with all these years. I’ve not felt his handshake for a decade.” “I’m going home to my wife and to my children. How often I’ve longed to feel the embrace of my wife. How often I’ve longed to feel the kisses of my children. I’m going home.” Who can argue with this? Isn’t it a good thing to want to reestablish relationships with family and friends? Isn’t that good? Indeed it is. But in choosing the good, they missed the best.

D. At least one who said, “I’m going to do exactly what Jesus told me to do. I’m going to go to the priest and show him that I am cleansed.” This is what caused this miracle to happen- followed Jesus instructions vs. 14. In that day, the priest was not only the religious leader, he was also the public health officer. While no cure for leprosy, the law made provisions for a leper to be pronounced clean. Only a few cases of getting over leprosy (many more in Jesus’ day) but it was important to have the all clear sign or stamp of approval from the priest to be able to enter back into society. Family and friends could say that only a temporary reprieve from the disease and refuse to be around the leper, because it was believed that leprosy was highly contagious. Need to have the stamp of approval from the priest to be declared “clean.” No longer did they have to announce themselves with the cry “Unclean”. Isn’t that important? They chose something good, but they might have chosen something better. Could they have come back before going to the priest? A few minutes of delay going to the priest wouldn’t make a difference. Now the process to be declared clean by the priest involved washings, shavings, clean clothes and skin inspections. Takes several weeks