October 10, 2010 at Saint Mark Norman, OK
2 Kgs 5:14-17 + Ps 98:1-4 + 2 Tm 2:8-13 + Lk 17:11-19
“Jesus was still on the way to Jerusalem, and he decided to pass between Samaria and Galilee since going through Samaria would have brought some hostility because he was headed to Jerusalem; and passing through Galilee would have slowed the journey since he was too well known there. It was a risky decision since this area was a kind of “no-man’s land” and there was no telling what might happen. Sure enough, as he came near a village, a group of Ten Lepers shouted out to him: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” How they knew his name is still a point for discussion in Bible Study
groups, but they did call him by name, and they seemed to know more than his name.”
Now we have to remember, that in Bible – talk, “Ten” is a nice round number, perfectly in balance, and when Bible-writers use that number it suggests a sense of completion and perfection.
“Hearing their call, Jesus shouted back, “Go do what the law requires. Show yourself to the priest and he will decide if you are cleansed and healed enough to go back home.” So the ten took off running ahead of Jesus toward the Priests in Jerusalem. They didn’t get very far before they noticed something. Their sores were healing, their joints were straightening, and they felt a lot better. Stopping to examine each other, they began to notice something they had not noticed before when they were all sick. They noticed that one of them was a Samaritan. When they were sick they never
noticed that nine were Jews and one was a Samaritan. In their sickness and isolation, the difference did not matter. Now that they were well, things changed. The Samaritan said: “I’m going back to thank the Master.” The others said: “You should go back. You’re a Samaritan and had no right to his favor and to his power. We are Jews like him, even though he is from Galilee. He owed it to us. We deserve his favors since we’re one of his own.” So the nine went on to Jerusalem while the Samaritan turned around. He would not have been welcome in Jerusalem anyway.
He found Jesus still walking toward Jerusalem and fell down on the ground in front of him thanking Jesus over and over again. Jesus was surprised to see this Samaritan in front of him, especially after all the trouble Jesus has had with Samaritans on the journey. But Jesus said:
“Where are the others?” Is only this Samaritan here to express his gratitude? No Samaritan is ever nice to us.” And with that, the Samaritan felt embarrassed and just said ‘Thank you.” again.
Jesus looked at him and said: “I have something better for you than for them. For the moment they are pleased and satisfied because they got what they wanted and only what they deserved. For you I have something better. From now own and for all eternity, you are saved and will have place in my Father’s Kingdom. Your faith has saved you. Your faith has given you more than you had a right to expect and more event than you asked for. For them I have nothing more.”
Then Jesus turned and stared walking toward Jerusalem. Now that they were disease free and perfectly like everyone else, the nine were back in Jerusalem very busy making sure that no Samaritans got in or had a share in what they had earned, never even thinking that in spite of being cured from leprosy they would still die of something else and never know that eternal life would have been theirs had they just taken the time to turn around and go back to honor and give thanks to Jesus.