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Luke 17:11-19
In Luke 17:11-19 Jesus was traveling through Samaria on His way to Jerusalem. As He entered a small town, ten lepers cried out to Him and begged of His mercy. Jesus commanded them to go and show themselves to the priests. While they were going on their way, they were healed. One of them, a Samaritan, returned to Jesus and praised Him for showing mercy and compassion, and fell at Jesus’ feet giving Him thanks.
Jesus notes that ten were healed but only one, a foreigner (the Samaritan), had returned to give praise to God. Jesus told the Samaritan to get up and go on about his way as his faith has made him well.
This is an example of having faith in the power of Jesus.
This is an example of God extending salvation to all humanity, not just the Israelites/Jews.
This is an example of the transformation from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
This is an example of the transformation from the Law to the fulfillment of the Law in Christ Jesus (Matthew 5:17).
The significance of this story is that the only person to return to give thanks to God was a Samaritan. The Samaritans were considered outcasts by the Jews, and for Jesus to heal a Samaritan man would have been shocking to those that witnessed this event.
This act of compassion and healing on a person other than the chosen people of God (the Israelites/Jews) was unfathomable at that time, but Jesus came to save the world from sin (John 3:17), not just the Jews. John 1:11 states that Jesus came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. John 1:12-13 (NKJV) states, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” This was prophesied by the prophet Joel in Joel 2:32 declaring, “And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.”
The Apostle Paul adds that there is no distinction between Jew or Greek but the Lord is rich to everyone that call on him, and he quotes Joel 2:32 in (Romans 10:12-13). The Jews thought that the Samaritans were unworthy to be saved by God, but Jesus came to save the world from sin…that includes you and me too. There is no sin so great that you cannot bring it, in humble submission and repentance, to God. His arms are open to receive you if you will accept His invitation to salvation through faith in Him.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for this great example of extending Your love and forgiveness to all people, that through our faith we may receive salvation in Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.