ACTS: A Way to Live

Monday, April 4, 2022

ACTS: A Way to Live

The Gospel of Luke—Lent 2022

Read Luke 17:11-17

Focus Verse—Luke 17:15 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.

ACTion for Reflection: Expressing Gratitude

What a great story this is. Let’s look a little deeper into what’s going on . People that had leprosy were required to stay away from others and to announce their presence if they had to come near. It was an incurable disease that eventually rotted away the body. It was widely known that only God could heal this. It’s suffice to say, having this disease in Biblical times would have been a horrible, lonely life that eventually led to an ugly death. It was physically evident 100% of the time, which I can imagine would have been even more “salt in the wound” (no pun intended). If the leprosy went into “remission” which happened on occasion, the healed leper was to present himself to a priest where all kinds of rules were to be followed to declare him clean.

When the ten lepers in our story saw Jesus, they likely were tempted to rush towards him to be healed, but they obediently observed the legal distance of 100 paces (Leviticus 13:46; Number 5:2; II Kings 5:5). Christ responds favorably to their plea in form of a command: “ Go, show yourselves to the priests (Luke 17:14)”. So, as they were in route, they were cleansed. The healing blessing came when the lepers OBEYED Jesus’s command. They didn't question by asking what awful things would happen if they went in an unclean state to the priest. They just did exactly what they were commanded to do. As it says in Luke 17:15, only one of the guys bothered to come back thanking Jesus. He was bold in his praise AND a Samaritan - a race despised by the Jews.

So, what does this story teach us? Is it possible to receive God’s great gifts with an ungrateful heart? Apparently nine of the ten men fit this category, so the answer is yes. We may miss many blessings because we don't just “GO” as these guys did. If we do what we can in obedience, God will do for us which we cannot. In other words, our part is somewhat ordinary action that results in something extraordinary from God.

Here is another point to look at. The thankful man learned that his faith had played a role in his healing. Had he not come back, he would have never known the importance of his faith. He received the additional blessing of spiritual healing. His faith not only sent him to Christ for physical healing, but also sent him back to praise and thank Him and receive further blessing.

God is full of grace and does not demand we come back with a thankful heart but he is pleased when we do so. If we do not, imagine the blessings we may be missing.

Can you recall time when you went out of your way to thank someone for something, big or small, they did on your behalf? If so, what did you walk away with after that encounter?

ACTion to Live Out: Give thanks An idea for today is to be thankful for all things. Reach out to someone in your life that you haven’t thanked for their support, actions, love, etc. Maybe it’s someone who gave you a ride somewhere, cooked a meal for you, cheered you up, helped you with a project, or was just there to listen. Or maybe it’s your spouse of significant other who does something for you daily. Thank them- spoken or written words, as long as they are sincere, that’s what matters.

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for teaching us how to live! After we daily reflect on your life-giving words, help us to then, through your Spirit, get up and ACT. Give us hearts of compassion, hands of generosity, and feet that take your good news to the world. What an honor it is to be your image bearer. Amen. Audio of Luke 17: https://youtu.be/4ppRMZqqfMI