Scripture Focus: Luke 17:11–19
1. Luke the Gospel writer tells us
• Jesus was traveling towards Jerusalem
• On his journey he encountered 10 lepers
• Luke tells The lepers stood at a distance and “called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us 12-13
2. There was several Responses in this story
• Jesus Responses Hearing their plea for help, Jesus answered, “Go and show yourselves to the priests”
• Jesus’s response was to heal
• Leper response was they obeyed Jesus. The Bible says as they went, they were made clean
• One lepers response was different that the others one of the 10 lepers “saw that he was healed turned back, praising God … [and] … prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him” 15-16
• Luke the gospel writers response He seemed amazed , “And he was a Samaritan” (v. 16b).
3. Each Leper had a response and all of us have a response to the healing we encounter in Jesus. I found this illustration written by Timothy Merrell as a description of each leper
• He called the first leper a Vacationer
“I’m going to take my family to the Grand Canyon. We’ve dreamed of this trip for years, but my illness kept us home. Now we’ll hike, laugh, and make memories.”
• He calls the second Leper The Career Reviver
“I’m heading back to my job as a high school teacher. I’ve missed my students, and I want to help them see how precious life is.”
• He claims the Third leper as The Home Builder
“I’m finally going to build the house I designed years ago. It’ll be a place of peace, where my grandchildren can play and grow.”
• He calls the fourth Leper The Author
“I’m writing a book about my journey — the pain, the prayers, and the healing. I want others to know that hope is real.”
• The Fifth leper he is called the Student
“I’m enrolling in college. I had to drop out when I got sick, but now I’m going to study nursing so I can help others like me.”
• The sixth Leper he calls The Artist
“I’m going to paint again. My hands were too weak before, but now I’ll create art that celebrates life and beauty.”
• The seventh Leper he calls The Volunteer
“I’m joining a mission trip to Honduras. I want to give back and serve those who are still suffering.”
• The eighth leper he calls the Reconciler
“I’m going home to reconcile with my brother. We haven’t spoken in years. This healing reminded me that life’s too short for grudges.”
• The Ninth Leper he calls The Animal Lover
“I’m adopting a dog from the shelter. I want to care for something vulnerable, just as God cared for me.”
• He calls the tenth Leper The Grateful One (Brings the Message Home)
“I will try to find ways to thank God for the blessing of life that God has given me. I’m going to live a life of praise and gratitude to God — every day, in every way.”
4. Finally let’s look at the Response of the Samaritan
• Jesus healed 10, but only one returned to give thanks.
• The Samaritan’s response was gratitude he was made whole he was healed and made well
• The Samaritans response was that of appreciation
• Jesus Challenges us to live not just healed lives, but thankful, purposeful lives.
• What will you do with the life God has restored to you?
• Healing invites a response — not just celebration, but transformation.
• Will you be one of the nine… or the one?
