This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
Today we will look at the Parable of the 10 Lepers. To me, this is not a parable, per se. But many have included it in the list of parables. Whatever the case, I believe the message in this story applies to this week, since many of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Let’s get into it.
(Luke 17:11-19 TPT)
11 On his way to Jerusalem Jesus passed through the border region between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he entered one village, ten men approached him, but they kept their distance, for they were lepers.
13 They shouted to him, “Mighty Lord, our wonderful Master! Won’t you have mercy on us and heal us?”
14 When Jesus stopped to look at them, he spoke these words: “Go to be examined by the Jewish priests.” They set off, and they were healed while walking along the way.
15 One of them, a Samaritan, when he discovered that he was completely healed, turned back to find Jesus, shouting out joyous praises and glorifying God.
16 When he found Jesus, he fell down at his feet and thanked him over and over, saying to him, “You are the Messiah.”
17 “So where are the other nine?” Jesus asked. “Weren’t there ten who were healed?
18 They all refused to return to give thanks and give glory to God except you, a foreigner from Samaria?”
19 Then Jesus said to the healed man lying at his feet, “Arise and go. It was your faith that brought you salvation and made you whole.”
As we delve into this story, we encounter ten individuals marginalized by society, afflicted by leprosy, and desperate for a touch from the Master. Their encounter with Jesus unfolds a series of events that offer us deep insights into the power of faith and obedience and the supernatural impact of a grateful heart. This story is not just about physical healing; it vividly illustrates spiritual restoration and the importance of recognizing and responding to God’s work in our lives. It speaks to the importance of being grateful and expressing your gratitude to God.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Setting the stage.
Leprosy is an infectious disease that attacks the skin and central nervous system. People with leprosy often do not have the sensation of pain to identify cuts or bruises, so they frequently injure themselves without knowing. Leprosy also causes multiple lesions on the skin that cause a terrible smell. For obvious reasons, Lepers were social outcasts. Under the Hebraic Law, lepers were considered unclean, and since there was no cure, they were condemned to live the rest of their lives in leper colonies. So, beyond the physical damage caused by leprosy, the treatment of lepers could easily cause psychological harm as well. They died a slow physical, mental, and emotional death.
Condemned to a life of separation and despair, they were stripped of their dignity and identity. Their encounter with Jesus, therefore, was not just a quest for physical healing but a desperate cry for acceptance, for a restoration of their humanity. The compassion of Jesus, as He encountered these outcasts, speaks volumes about His heart for the ostracised and marginalized. Not only did He have His power to transform lives, not just physically but in every aspect. This story, therefore, is a powerful reminder that Jesus wants us to be healed, healthy, blessed, and prosperous in every area of our lives. It also speaks to the power of Jesus’ love and acceptance.
2. Recognizing Our Need for Divine Intervention.
— This story begins with ten lepers standing at a distance, crying out to Jesus for mercy, acknowledging their desperate need for healing.
— Like the lepers, we must recognize our own spiritual brokenness and our need for God’s intervention in our lives.
— God will not interrupt our lives without our invitation or the prayers of someone else. God needs to be invited into your life.
— You won’t call upon a God you don’t think you need. But when you call upon Him and finally recognize that you need Him, He will be right there, ready to help!
— Recognizing that you need God leads to humility and an understanding that our efforts are insufficient without God’s grace and mercy.
— This step of acknowledging our need is critical in our walk with God; it’s where transformation begins.
— It’s about surrendering our pride and self-sufficiency, admitting that we are nothing without Him.
— This recognition is the first step towards a life of gratitude and thankfulness.
3. The Power of Jesus’ Word and Our Response.
Only a Priest had the authority to pronounce them clean and restore them to society (see Lev 14). So, for obvious reasons, they stood at a distance as they called for Jesus to have mercy on them. He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” Jesus said that as if to indicate that they were already healed. The men received what Jesus said in faith, and they set out as directed.
As they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, however, could not contain himself and was overflowing with gratitude. He came back praising God with a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.
— Jesus responded to the lepers’ plea with a simple instruction: “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” His Word carried the power for their healing.
— Our response to God’s Word is crucial. The lepers acted in faith, even before they saw the manifestation of their healing.
— This teaches us about obedience and the importance of acting on God’s Word, and trusting in His promises.
— The power of God’s Word in our lives is activated by our faith and obedience.
— It’s not just about hearing the Word but being doers of the Word.
— Our faith journey involves taking steps even when the outcome is not yet visible.
— This point emphasizes the importance of faith in action, aligning our steps with God’s instructions.
4. The Significance of Gratitude and Thanksgiving.
— 10 lepers were healed. But only one returned to give thanks and praise to Jesus! Only one acknowledged the source of his healing.
— This act of gratitude set him apart and caught Jesus’ attention, leading to a deeper level of blessing.
— Gratitude is a key element in our relationship with God; it’s an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and goodness.
— Thanksgiving is not just a response to what God has done but a posture of the heart that recognizes God’s role in every aspect of our lives.
— A thankful heart is a magnet for miracles and blessings.
— Gratitude keeps us connected to the source of our blessings, ensuring a continuous flow.
— This point teaches us about the power of a thankful heart and its impact on our spiritual life.
— When you understand this, you will make sure that Thanksgiving is not just something you do once a year. Thanksgiving is a lifestyle!
5. Beyond Physical Healing: Spiritual Wholeness.
— Jesus’ final words to the grateful leper were, “Arise and go. It was your faith that brought you salvation and made you whole.” This speaks of a healing that went beyond the physical.
— The grateful leper received not just physical healing but also spiritual wholeness, which is the ultimate blessing.
— This teaches us that God’s desire for us goes beyond our physical needs; He seeks to restore us wholly – body, soul, and spirit.
— Our encounters with God should lead us to seek deeper spiritual truths and not just temporal blessings.
— This spiritual wholeness is available to all who come to God with a heart of faith and gratitude.
— It’s about experiencing the fullness of God’s Kingdom, which encompasses peace, joy, and righteousness in the Holy Spirit.
— This point emphasizes the importance of seeking God for who He is, not just for what He can do for us, leading to a life of fulfillment and purpose.
— Experiencing God on this level should cause you to constantly say “THANK YOU” to God as you walk with Him!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me!
I come before You with a heart full of gratitude, recognizing my deep need for Your divine intervention in my life.
I welcome Your involvement in every area of my life!
I acknowledge that without Your grace and mercy, I am nothing.
I commit to not only hearing Your Word but being a doer of it, responding in faith and obedience to Your divine instructions.
I thank You for the physical and spiritual healing You offer, and I embrace the wholeness that comes from a relationship with You.
I enter this day healed, healthy, blessed, and prosperous in every area.
I am grateful for every blessing, big and small, and I commit to live a life of continuous
Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is more than just an annual tradition for me. It is a lifestyle of expressing my love and appreciation for You.
Thank You, Father, for Your goodness, kindness, grace, and mercy. I express my thanks to You every day, in every way!
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
