Introduction

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, to this blessed gathering where we come together, not as individuals, but as a family, bound by the love and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's a joy to see each of you here today, eager and ready to open your hearts and minds to the Word of God.

Today, we will turn our attention to the Gospel of Luke, specifically chapter 19. This chapter presents us with a narrative that is as rich as it is profound, as challenging as it is comforting. It's a story that reminds us of the healing power of Jesus, the ingratitude of man, and the beauty of a thankful heart.

In the words of the respected Christian preacher, Charles Spurgeon, “It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” Our passage today echoes this sentiment, displaying the unending grace of our Lord, His love for the unlovable, and His patience with the unreachable.

Let's read the passage together [read text].

Isn't it fascinating that out of the ten men healed, only one returned to thank Jesus? What does this tell us about the state of our hearts? What does it tell us about the nature of gratitude? These are the questions we'll be pondering today, as we delve into this rich narrative.

Before we proceed, let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of gathering here today in Your name. We thank You for Your Word that guides, corrects, and gives us hope. As we study this passage today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand Your truth. Help us to learn from the lepers, both the nine and the one, and to apply these lessons to our own lives. We pray this in the precious name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Miraculous Healing of the Ten Lepers

In our text, we see Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. He encounters ten men afflicted with leprosy, a disease that not only ravages the body but also ostracizes individuals from society. These men, outcasts in their own community, stood at a distance, a testament to the isolation and rejection they experienced daily. Yet, they had heard of Jesus, the man who healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and even raised the dead. In their desperation, they cried out to Him, "Jesus, Master, pity us!"

Jesus, in His infinite mercy, did not turn away from them. He did not ignore their pleas or dismiss their suffering. Instead, He instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests. This was following the Law of Moses, which required anyone healed of leprosy to be examined by a priest and declared clean before they could rejoin society. As they obeyed Jesus' command, they were healed. The sores disappeared, their skin was restored, and they were free from the disease that had held them captive.

The healing of the ten lepers meant both physical and social restoration. They were no longer outcasts but could return to their families and communities. They could once again participate in the social and religious life of their people. This was a life-changing moment for them, a moment that should have filled them with overwhelming gratitude.

Yet, as we read further, we see that only one of the ten, a Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus. This man, a foreigner, recognized the enormity of what Jesus had done for him. He understood that his healing was not just a physical transformation but a spiritual one as well. He was not just cleansed of his disease but also touched by the grace and mercy of Jesus. In his joy and gratitude, he returned to Jesus, fell at His feet, and thanked Him.

This act of gratitude stands in stark contrast to the behavior of the other nine lepers. They too were healed, they too were restored, and they too had their lives changed. Yet, they did not return to thank Jesus. They were so caught up in their newfound freedom and the possibilities it presented that they forgot about the One who made it all possible.

This narrative presents us with a clear picture of human nature. We are quick to cry out to God in our distress, in our pain, and in our need. We plead for His mercy, His healing, and His intervention. Yet, when He answers our prayers, how often do we forget to thank Him? How often do we take His blessings for granted and move on with our lives without acknowledging His hand in our deliverance?

The story of the ten lepers is a reminder to us all. It's a call to recognize the blessings in our lives, to acknowledge the source of those blessings, and to express our gratitude to God. It's a call to not be like the nine lepers who forgot their Benefactor but to be like the one who returned to give thanks.

Application question questions. As we reflect on this narrative, let's ask ourselves: Are we like the nine lepers who took their healing for granted, or are we like the Samaritan who returned to give thanks? Do we recognize the blessings in our lives and acknowledge their source, or do we take them for granted? And most importantly, do we express our gratitude to God not just with our words but with our lives?

Transition. Let's strive to be like the Samaritan leper, recognizing the blessings in our lives, acknowledging their source, and expressing our gratitude to God. Let's remember that every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. And let's respond to these gifts not just with words of thanks but with lives that reflect our gratitude.

Murmurs of Ungratefulness

The ten lepers, having been healed, were quick to return to their lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO