In Luke 17, after ten men with leprosy (or another skin disease) were healed on their way (per Jesus’ instructions) to visiting a priest who could declare them clean, something happens:
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:15-16 NIV
We might remember the parable of the “Good Samaritan”, but this isn’t just a parable about a good Samaritan, it’s an actual Samaritan showing good behavior.
Quick question: Why was there a Samaritan here? Answer: Jesus was near Samaria, per Luke 17:11. (When teaching, sometimes it’s good to make sure that the class is still following along!)
I don’t want to read too much into this, but I wonder if the group of ten men (who Jesus met on the border of Galilee and Samaria) included a mix of nationalities? If they had been excluded from their respective societies, those barriers might not have mattered anymore as they shared a common affliction.
Regardless, we also find [ref. Black, p.289] that Jesus wasn’t afraid to heal someone – like this Samaritan – who wasn’t from Judea. God’s healing was not limited to only those from a particular ethnic group.
Luke 7:21-23 illustrates a reason why Jesus performed miracles, when John the Baptist had sent a couple of his disciples to Jesus with questions. These examples – including healing people of leprosy (or another skin condition) – served to verify that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah. And, the arrival of the Messiah was a further confirmation (among many others) that God keeps His promises.
For that faithfulness, He deserves glory, praise, and worship from His people, not unlike what this healed Samaritan did. Note that this Samaritan doesn’t just say, “thanks”. He’s not just checking a box and being polite like his mom taught him to. No, this man is giving glory to God, who he recognizes as being the one who has caused him to be healed. He is also giving thanks to Jesus, and showing humility.
I’ve said it before, but I believe that it was God the Father who actually performed miracles through Jesus (God the son). It’s possible that this grateful man understood that God the Father had healed him through Jesus, and showed appreciation to both. Whether or not that is the case, we can do the same: for instance, when another follower of Jesus Christ blesses us (as God has led them), we can thank the person while giving glory to God. After all, God gave them the ability to bless us, and led them to do so. He deserves ultimate glory, but I don’t think that excludes us from being polite to those who are serving as His willing instruments.
If you’ve been following along in this series, remember that, back in verse 12, the ten men previously stood at a distance. Now, one of the cleansed men falls at Jesus’ feet. While the man was formerly obligated to remain apart, Jesus made a way for him to be healed and come close to God.
Sound like anyone else you know? Personally, I was separated from God because of my sins, but Jesus made a way for me to return to God, to enjoy a healed relationship with God, and to draw near to God. I hope that you can say the same.
Now is a good time to read Hebrews 10:19-25, and remember that, 1) we can approach God through Jesus’ body and blood, 2) we are cleansed by Jesus (like the lepers in Luke), and 3) drawing near to God is discussed close to the well-known reminder in this chapter to not forsake meeting together. Apparently, as we draw near to God, we are expected to draw near to others in Jesus’s body (i.e., the church), and to help them do good things, too.
Remember how the ten men called out loudly to Jesus to ask for help? Now, we find this Samaritan again being loud, but this time he’s no longer asking for help. He’s praising God, perhaps just as loudly now as he had previously asked for help.
In conclusion, let us not be resigned to remaining far away from God:
- Whether we feel like we are far away from Him spiritually,
- Whether our physical bodies are broken and hurting, or
- Whether our relationships with other people aren’t like the ideal for which we were created.
Instead, let us set aside our pride and ask God for help, being humble enough to seek His mercy even if other people hear us asking for help (and we might be a little embarrassed).
And then, when God answers our prayers: even if His answer must be “no” or “wait”, let us praise Him – loud and proud!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for September 17, 2023
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press Commentary, Luke, by Mark C. Black. College Press Publishing Company, © 1996.
Those Who Sin Differently 