When Jesus Passes By
Luke 17:11-19
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George Jones' career began in the 1950's and for decades he enjoyed great success professionally. But it is well documented that he had great struggles personally. He suffered from alcoholism and a cocaine addiction. By February 1979 he was homeless, deranged, and destitute. He lived in his car and was in pitiful shape physically. In 1981, he met Nancy Sepulvado who would eventually become his wife. She had a very positive impact on Jones' life and career. She eventually cleaned up his finances, kept him away from his drug dealers and managed his career. George would be the first to tell you that Nancy changed and ultimately saved his life. But there was still something missing in his life.
In 1996 George had a tragic car accident, it took the first responders almost 2 hours to get him out. He was in a coma for over a week. When he woke up he asked to see Vestal Goodman who he had met several months earlier. Little did he know that Vestal had been praying for him... even before the accident. Vestal was instrumental in leading the country legend to faith in Jesus Christ. Until his death there was a visible difference in his life. But it wasn't because of Nancy or even Vestal, George's life was changed because HE MET JESUS!!
There are many occasions in the Gospels where Jesus passed by and lives were changed:
1. He passed through Cana an encountered a nobleman who's son was at the point of death... Jesus healed Him! (John 4:46-54)
2. He passed through Capernaum and encountered a leper...Jesus healed Him! (Mark 1:40-45)
3. He passed through Nain and encountered a widow who's son had died... Jesus brought him back to life! (Luke 7:11-17)
4. He passes through Galilee and encountered a deaf and dumb man who was possessed with demons... Jesus healed Him and cast out the demon! (Matthew 12:22-24)
5. He passed near Capernaum and encountered a woman with an issue of blood...Jesus healed Her! (Mark 5:22-24)
I could go on and on listing occasions where Jesus passed by and lives were changed forever. No matter how disastrous the circumstances or how devastating the situation, when Jesus comes on the scene EVERYTHING CHANGES!! We could take the rest of the day and allow each person to share their testimony of their conversion experience. And everyone would admit that everything changed for them, when Jesus come on the scene.
In our selected text we read about 10 men who suffered from leprosy. When Jesus came on the scene everything changed for these men. Jesus had compassion on them and healed them. And I am glad to tell you that Jesus is still changing lives today. Maybe you are here and you are suffering. You need healing... you need a life change. If this describes you then I invite you to join me as we consider the thought "When Jesus Passes By"
* Let's begin in verses 11-13 and examine:
I. THE CONDITION WHEN JESUS PASSED BY v11-13
As Jesus passed through Samaria and Galilee He entered a village where He met some men who were in bad shape. We are told that there were 10 of them. Let's examine their condition for a moment:
A. THEY WERE SICK - v12 "And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers"
These men had a horrific disease. In fact their sickness was one of the worst in the history of the world. They were Lepers. Leprosy is a disease that begins with little white spots appearing on the skin. Those spots begin to harden and turn from white to pink to brown and become very scaly. Those sores then began to spread all over the body. They would afflict the face first; soon the appearance of the face would change. These sores would begin fill with puss and they would begin to run all over the body. There was a foul odor and others couldn't even stand to smell the odor. Leprosy began to totally consume one’s body. The eyebrows would fall out, and then the hair would turn white. A person with Leprosy is someone who is literally rotting away. Fingers would fall off and the toes of the feet would begin to fall off. Leprosy lasted an average of about 9 years until the victim would collapse and waste away.
Though this is a gruesome description of a physical disease, it is a great illustration of a spiritual disease. Leprosy paints a vivid picture of sin! And this paints a picture of the condition of these 10 men who met Jesus that day. Not only were these men sick, we also see that:
B. THEY WERE SEPARATED – v11b "which stood afar off"
Along with the physical misery of leprosy came the social isolation. In Leviticus 13 we find the “Law of the Leper” . These men would have been banished from their village. They have had to leave their family, friends and acquaintances. They would not have been able to touch their family; They could only see them from a distance. Some families would bring food and clothing to the leper colony for the individual. But most families had a funeral service and regarded the afflicted person as dead. According to the Law these men had to tear their garments so people would recognize that they were lepers. They were required to wear a cloth over their upper so they wouldn't spread the contamination. If he came in contact with anyone without leprosy he was required to cry, "Unclean! Unclean! Unclean!” What a sad life these men had to endure.
* They were sick, they were separated and in verse 13 we see that:
C. THEY WERE SEARCHING - v13 and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Notice that they cried out to Jesus! They could not go to Him. It was unlawful for these men to come within 50 feet of a clean person. If it was a windy day, the rule changed to 200 feet. Even though they could not go to Him, they cried out and He went to them!!! And He is still doing the same today! Somehow, someway they had heard of Jesus and the miracle that He had performed.
Somebody had told these men about what Jesus had done for Bartimaeus, The woman with issue of blood. Jairus’ daughter, the demoniacs, the blind and many others. Perhaps someone had told them how He had fed the multitudes with minimal resources. These men were in a hopeless condition and they needed a miracle. They could not help themselves, so they cried out to Jesus!
The leprosy that these men suffered from is a picture of sin and its affects on humanity! And as horrible as it is, some of you have a disease that is much worse! You have a disease that affects the soul! Like leprosy it is a disease that only gets worse. And it is a disease that has a disastrous end result. In fact the bible says that you are worse than sick... YOU ARE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS!! And like these men, you cannot help yourself. But Jesus can heal you completely and eternally. And the great blessing is seen in the fact that He desires to do just that today!
As we mentioned, these men could not come to Jesus, so He went to them! Jesus sees your condition and He cares for you! In fact He cares enough about you that He went to the cross and made a way for you to be healed. Let's look at what He did for these men and what He will do for you today. Consider:
II. THE COMPASSION WHEN JESUS PASSED BY v14
It was no coincidence that Jesus saw these men. I believe with all that is in me that He went looking for them. Why? Because that is just what He does! Let's look for a moment at:
A. JESUS' PERSPECTIVE - v14a And when he saw them,
These men cried out to Jesus and He saw them. But he saw more than their outward condition; He saw the condition of their hearts. His primary objective was not to heal their bodies. His desire was to cleanse their souls! He knew that their condition was worse than they could imagine! My friend, He sees you! He knows your story and your circumstances. He knows more than the problems you face in this life. He knows the condition of your soul. And He knows the consequences of your sin. But He also cares enough to do something about it. Whether you realize it or not He has already done something about it. He who knew no sin became sin for you!!! He has an answer for your sin problem today. He had an answer for these men as well. Notice:
B. JESUS' PRESCRIPTION - v14b he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.
Why did Jesus tell these men to go to the priests? Leviticus 14:1-9 records the instructions for those seeking ceremonial purification from leprosy. If a leper was healed the priest would examine them outside of the camp. If he found that they were healed he would perform the purification ceremony. Jesus knew that these men were healed and he told them to go to the Priests. What Jesus was saying in this verse was "we are going to do things God's way". Remember what Jesus told us in - Matthew 5:17 ¶Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
And Jesus did just that! Jesus has a prescription for you disease, but He will not tell you to go to the priest. He is standing with outstretched arms right now saying come unto me! And when you do you will see what these lepers saw... you will see:
C. JESUS' POWER - v14c And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
These men obeyed Christ and were healed. Their lives were transformed! They no longer suffered the physical conditions. No longer would they be outcasts in society. They could return to their family and friends. Jesus was their only hope! His power was greater than their problem. And my dear friend: Jesus has the power to cure your disease... He has the power solve your problem... He has the power to save your soul... He has the power to cleanse your sins... He has the power to change your life And He will today if only you will let Him!!
We have seen the Condition and the Compassion when Jesus passes by. Finally lets examine:
III. THE CONVERSION WHEN JESUS PASSED PY - v15
Keep in mind there were 10 Lepers who received a physical healing. But we find that only one returns to thank Jesus for His grace. Consider:
A. THE REALIZATION INVOLVED - v15a And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
Notice something about this healing... it was immediate!! This man looked down and realized that his had been healed. Can you imagine the joy and excitement that he experienced. This man was not required to go to the Temple, he was a Samaritan. The Law had no authority over him! But when he saw the transformation in his life, He came back and thanked Jesus for what He had done for him. The 9 set out to honor the Law; this man knew that he had met grace!
When Jesus heals you of your sin problem.... it will be immediate! You will be able to look at your life and see that things are totally different! And when you see this, you will rejoice... that is what this one man did. Consider:
B. THE REJOICING INVOLVED - v15b turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
This man turned and went back to Jesus. He humbled Himself before the Christ! And He continued to rejoice and glorify God! He was thrilled for the cleansing in His life! What was the difference between this man and the other nine? Something happened to his heart as well as in his body, We are told in the text that he was made whole! All ten of these men got new bodies, but one got a new heart and a new life!!
v17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? -- There should have been ten men bowing and praising Jesus! They had all experienced grace... they had all experienced mercy ...they had all been healed. Where are the nine? That was Jesus' question. And I can't help but wonder if He is still asking the same question today? Where are those whom He has healed? Why are they not praising Him? We who have been healed should constantly be humbled at his feet praising Him for all that He has done!
And for those who are still dead in trespasses and sins you can be raised to walk in newness of life today. Just like this man Jesus has the power to make you whole today. He sees your sin problem... do you? Not only does He see it He is willing to solve it! He has the prescription that will cure your disease? Just as Jesus went to these men who could not get to Him, He will come to you today? Maybe He is calling you right now? Why don't you surrender to Him and let Him transform your life today?
"It always makes a difference"
"When Jesus passes by"
"The devil trembles the enemy flees"
"When Jesus comes on the scene"
"He always shines a ray of light"
"The darkening clouds must fly"
"It always makes a difference"
"When Jesus passes by"
(Song by Karen Peck & New River)
• Some amazing things can happen when Jesus passes by!
