Cured – Part 4

September 25, 2025

Broadcast

                            Cured - Part 4
                             Luke 17:15-18
                              09/25/2025

        15   Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed,
             turned back, praising God with a loud voice;
        16   and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him
             thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
        17   Then Jesus answered, ``Were not ten cleansed?
             Where are the nine?
        18   Was no one found to return and give praise to God
             except this foreigner?''  (ESV)

        While Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, ten lepers cried out
   to Him for mercy, for healing from their dread disease.  While
   they followed Jesus' instruction to show themselves to the
   priests, they were cured.
        Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed,
        turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he
        fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now
        he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus answered, ``Were not
        ten cleansed? Where are the nine?  Was no one found to
        return and give praise to God except this foreigner?''


        Let's talk about the leprosy of sin.  The first sin was not
   about eating the forbidden fruit, but about being like God, about
   replacing God.  Because we are born with this sin, we are by
   nature selfish, demanding, and arrogant.  After all, if we are
   like God, if we are God, we deserve everything good.  If we are
   in control, the gifts and kindness given to us are our right and
   are owed to us.

        The nine lepers who did not return to thank Jesus were part
   of the chosen people, the children of Israel.  They accepted the
   cure as something God owed them.  Not so the Samaritan.  He
   immediately turned back to thank Jesus, who he praised as God,
   for His grace and mercy.

        As we confess our sin, we confess that we are not in
   control.  We either are overwhelmed by our lack of hope, or we
   find our cure in Christ Jesus.

        May our Lord grant us faith to thank Him for His rich gift
   of forgiveness and life everlasting.  Amen.