| October 14, 2001 2 Kings 5:14-17 + 2 Timothy 2:8-13 + Luke 17:11-19 |
| It is certainly a story about boundaries – about boundaries disregarded.It makes no difference that those unclean are to avoided. It makes no difference that they live across the boarder, and it makes no difference that they are SamaritansWhere there is faith, there is healing: that is the issue here, and faith is not limited to just the “right” people:those who live on the right side of the boarder or those who are nice and clean.With Jesus Christ, and for His disciples, there are no boundaries when it comes to service and a share in healing grace.There are no boundaries when it comes to restoring those who have been excluded,but boundaries is not exactly what this is all about, and this story,told on the way to Jerusalem, puts before us a contrast from which we may draw another of the disciple’s virtues. |
| Luke proposes a distinction here between the nine and the one:a distinction we might describe as physical healing and spiritual healing. Notice that the healing of their physical infirmity did not bring salvation.Although the nine who did not return to Jesus were indeed cured physically, there is no mention at all of their spiritual healing or salvation.On the other hand, the one who returns to Jesus, the one who acknowledges what God had done for him through Jesus Christ is the one who is saved by faith.Because of his gratitude by which he gave evidence of his faith, this GRATEFULleper was enabled to experience salvation beyond his physical cure.It is Gratitude that Luke singles out as a virtue to be found in disciples of Jesus Christ.In Luke’s thought, the grateful recognition of God’s initiative that brings healing and salvation is surest sign of faith.One’s faith is confirmed by the witness of gratitude. Without it, there is no assurance of Salvation. |
| Faith for the disciple of Jesus is not a matter of rules kept nor prayers said.It is a matter of Gratitude in response to the initiative God has taken on our behalf.Disciples are Grate/ul.They recognize what God has done for them.They return again and again to the feet of the master and “speak his praises”, as the Gospel describes it.This is a public recognition, please take note. |
| It is not something the leper does quietly in his heart or at home in his room.This “gratitude”, found in a disciple of Jesus, moves one to public recognition and acknowledgment of one’s gratitude.This 1s why we are here, in this public place rather than on the golf course, at brunch, or in bed at this hourThe disciple of Jesus is grateful in an open, public wayThe disciple of Jesus is found at the master’s feet giving praise and thanks. |
| Gratitude for a disciple of Jesus is way of life, not passing emotion.It is a life changing conversion that is as public as a known leper throwing himselfat the feet of Jesus Christ in a Samaritan town. We are not talking personal, private stuff here.Disciples formed in Luke’s traditionare a people who have known what it meansto be accepted, included, healed, saved, and graced by a God who ignores all boundaries,and their gratitude is contagious. |