Bursting Joy (Luke 17:11-21, 18:15-17)
Mari Ikeda
A. Being labelled as impure (17:11-14a)
17:11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”
B. Saved by faith
1) Joy saved this person (17:14b-19)
And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him―and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
2) Baby-like faith (18:15-17)
18:15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
C. God’s kingdom is among us (17:20-21)
20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Summary
Though ten men were healed, only one of them returned to Jesus in haste for his joy. This person became aware that through Jesus he had not only been healed, but also been remembered and loved by God. This awareness made him praise God aloud and rush back to Jesus to thank him. Believing in Jesus is to be given this bursting joy to our hearts.
For Discussion
1) Do you have the everlasting joy in your heart? How is it given to you?
2) What is baby-like faith like?