10-9-22 Sermon Notes “Healing and Moving On”

It would start with brownish-red spots on the face, ears, forearms, and thighs. These spots would later become nodules, which eventually would lose their covering and become ulcers. After that, there would be loss of tissue, contraction, and deformity. Sometimes parts of the body would literally drop off before the person finally died. I’m talking about leprosy. Is there any wonder that leprosy was the most feared disease in Jesus’ day?

Because people were so afraid of catching leprosy, those who had this awful disease were banished – separated from the rest of society. They had to stay at least 50 yards away, keep their faces covered, and if someone approached them, they were required to shout, “Unclean! Unclean!” (Lev. 13: 45-46; Num. 5: 2)

Their shared misery would cause those with leprosy to band together. In Luke 17, we see a band of 10 lepers. Jesus is on the border between Galilee and Samaria when he was approached by the band of lepers. Here’s what happened:

11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are
they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17: 11-19 NRSV)

Ten lepers were told by Jesus to go and show themselves to the priests. They moved on, which took a step of faith. Ten lepers were “made clean” as they moved on. One leper came back, falling at Jesus’ feet praising God and thanking Jesus. When he moved on after that, he was not only made clean…he was made “well.”

There are different ways to heal and move on, and this Sunday we will look at them. I hope you will join us!

See you Sunday,
Pastor Sam