THINK TOGETHER.
What’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for you?
READ TOGETHER.
Luke 17:11-19. 11On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
These ten lepers just had their best day. A leper was someone with a severe skin disease that brought sores all over their body. Not only were lepers sick, they were also considered spiritually “unclean.” Therefore, they were outcasts. They were contagious and cursed. They could no longer live at home, or go into town, or go to the synagogue (church) to worship. That’s why Luke says that the ten lepers stood at a distance.
A leper had no friends, no family, and no life.
Why did I say that these lepers just had their best day? Because Jesus healed them. He took away their leprosy once and for all. He took away their cursed life. Their shame. Their loneliness. Their rejection. Now they can go to the priest at the Temple, they probably haven’ been there in years. The priest will declare them clean. They will be allowed back into the community, the stores, their own houses.
Jesus healing these lepers is a picture of how Jesus takes away our sin. Every one of us is born a sinner. We are born separated from God. We are like lepers who can’t live with God in his house. But when we come to Jesus for healing from our sin, he heals us fully and forever. He makes us clean. Even though we still sin, if we have Jesus in our hearts, then God no longer sees us as a sinner, but as his beloved child.
Have you been cleansed of your sin?
If you have, have you told Jesus thank you lately?
This story isn’t just a story about healing. It’s a story about gratitude. What does it mean to be grateful? Are you more like the nine lepers who walked away healed but didn’t return to say thanks? Or are you like the one, Samaritan, leper who ran back to Jesus, fell on his face, and gave Jesus thanks?
If Jesus has saved you, then you have had the best day of your life. And every day after that is the next best day of your life. Why? Because Jesus is always with you, and always loving you, and always healing your heart. So how will you respond? Why not give thanks to him today!
Because of Jesus we are always loved and never cursed.
With Jesus we can give thanks to God for his salvation.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Go around and have everyone say why they are thankful for Jesus and his saving love and grace.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, thank you for taking away my sin and making me perfect in God’s sight. Amen.
TLICfamily 