SERMON
Jesus and the 10% response
Luke 17:11-19
March 8, 2026
Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one (a Samaritan) returns to give thanks. The other nine (most probably Jews) did as Jesus instructed, going off to show themselves to the priests, who would “certify” them of their healing/cleansing as a requirement for re-entry into society. They did not do anything wrong. Yet Jesus notices and appreciates the one who returned soon after being healed (before he could show himself to the priests) – the one who belonged to the marginalized Samaritan group.
What does Christ’s work of healing do in our lives? Does it just provide us with the relief to carry on with our normal lives as usual? Or does it prompt us to return to him, to worship, to follow him, to change our lives radically?
Jesus continues resolutely on his journey to Jerusalem. Luke tells us that he and his disciples were traveling on the border between Samaria and Galilee. This accounts for a Samaritan being in the group. This encounter with the 10 lepers (it is uncertain whether they had what we know as “Hanson’s disease” or another visual skin disease) happens outside a village. This is also understandable because such diseases resulted in the infected being considered “unclean” by the Law and were forbidden from having contact with “normal” people (See Leviticus 13:45-46).
They called out for Jesus to “have mercy,” “have pity” on them. To desire someone’s mercy/pity to acknowledge one’s own lowly position and the mercy-giver’s higher, or more advantaged position. It is the attitude of a beggar to a benevolent alms-giver.
Interestingly, the one term that the gospel writers give to show how Jesus related to those in need was “compassion” (Matthew 9:36 // Mark 6:34). He came down to our level and shared our suffering, which is how he knew our suffering
How were the lepers to interpret this? Did or did not Jesus have the power and the willingness to heal them? What if nothing had happened before they met the priest?
All 10 lepers seemed to have obeyed Jesus, because “as they went, they received the healing/cleansing.” God doesn’t show us the promised gift before he gives it to us. It needs obedience.
But because they obeyed, they received the blessing. For 9 of them, that’s all it was:
I was in need – I cried out to God – he miraculously answered my need – I fulfilled my religious obligations – and now I’m going back to my “Life, Interrupted.”
He thanked him. At the heart of true gratitude/thankfulness is the recognition and acceptance of grace at work. It is the humble response of recognizing that the Giver has given a gift that you didn’t deserve or earn, and there’s nothing you can do in return but receive it and acknowledge the grace.
Where the other nine received physical healing only, and went on with their pre-leprosy life, this one leper received physical healing, spiritual healing, and freedom as well. He began to be a “new creation.”
Jesus was achieving his purpose, the reason he was going to Jerusalem. It was there that he would give his life for us, our inner healing transformation.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Will you experience that inner healing this Lent?
What does Christ’s work of healing do in our lives? Does it just provide us with the relief to carry on with our normal lives as usual? Or does it prompt us to return to him, to worship, to follow him, to change our lives radically?
Jesus continues resolutely on his journey to Jerusalem. Luke tells us that he and his disciples were traveling on the border between Samaria and Galilee. This accounts for a Samaritan being in the group. This encounter with the 10 lepers (it is uncertain whether they had what we know as “Hanson’s disease” or another visual skin disease) happens outside a village. This is also understandable because such diseases resulted in the infected being considered “unclean” by the Law and were forbidden from having contact with “normal” people (See Leviticus 13:45-46).
- Satisfied with the Gift(s) – the Nine-tenths (Luke 17:11-14)
- The plight of the suffering and the marginalized. The 10 lepers were the outcasts, even more marginalized than Samaritans in terms of Jewish culture. They were alone, avoided, jobless, burdened, unheard, even feared (because of the disease.
- They were stripped of their dignity (that they used to have)
- They were stripped of their Identity (that they used to have)
- They were stripped of their communities (that they used to belong to)
- Because of their disease and the Law, they had to find and give each other a new community, a new identity, a new dignity. They had to form their own separate community devoid of religious/racial/ethnic differences.
- Calling out for pity/mercy. They stood at a distance (appropriate for them) and cried out to Jesus, calling him “Master.” Where did they learn to call Jesus as only a disciple would call their “Guru”? They couldn’t come any closer, but that did not stop them from calling out.
They called out for Jesus to “have mercy,” “have pity” on them. To desire someone’s mercy/pity to acknowledge one’s own lowly position and the mercy-giver’s higher, or more advantaged position. It is the attitude of a beggar to a benevolent alms-giver.
Interestingly, the one term that the gospel writers give to show how Jesus related to those in need was “compassion” (Matthew 9:36 // Mark 6:34). He came down to our level and shared our suffering, which is how he knew our suffering
- Receiving the gift. Often, Jesus would touch the suffering person; this time, it was only a word: Instructions to fulfill the formality of getting priestly certification for healing (Leviticus 14:2-32). Please note: There are no actual words of healing given as yet.
How were the lepers to interpret this? Did or did not Jesus have the power and the willingness to heal them? What if nothing had happened before they met the priest?
All 10 lepers seemed to have obeyed Jesus, because “as they went, they received the healing/cleansing.” God doesn’t show us the promised gift before he gives it to us. It needs obedience.
But because they obeyed, they received the blessing. For 9 of them, that’s all it was:
I was in need – I cried out to God – he miraculously answered my need – I fulfilled my religious obligations – and now I’m going back to my “Life, Interrupted.”
- Responding to the Divine Giver – the 0ne-tenth (Luke 17:15-19)
- Acknowledging the Giver behind the received gift. All 10 lepers obeyed; all 10 lepers were healed. But one immediately turned around – a Samaritan. Luke does not tell us how many Jews and Samaritans made up the 10 lepers, except that the one does something different to the other 9 was a Samaritan.
- This Samaritan has an epiphany – God was involved in the healing. And so, he praised God at the top of his voice! The revelation was not so much the gift, but it was the Giver, Jesus, and God acting through Jesus.
- Humility that led to worship and gratitude. The Samaritan’s response is spontaneous and authentic. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet – that was an act of humility, of surrender, of worship.
He thanked him. At the heart of true gratitude/thankfulness is the recognition and acceptance of grace at work. It is the humble response of recognizing that the Giver has given a gift that you didn’t deserve or earn, and there’s nothing you can do in return but receive it and acknowledge the grace.
- Receiving God’s inner transformation/healing more than just physical healing. All 10 lepers were physically healed – they were cleansed.
Where the other nine received physical healing only, and went on with their pre-leprosy life, this one leper received physical healing, spiritual healing, and freedom as well. He began to be a “new creation.”
Jesus was achieving his purpose, the reason he was going to Jerusalem. It was there that he would give his life for us, our inner healing transformation.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Will you experience that inner healing this Lent?