A Samaritan's Response
A guest post by Chad Ramsey.
The healing of the ten lepers, recorded in Luke 17:11-19, is an impressive moment in Jesus’s ministry.
We see His compassion and power on display.
Nevertheless, Luke gives special attention to something that occurred after the miracle.
The Samaritan was Thankful.
Reporting this, he wrote:
“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan” (verses 15-16).
The nationality of the returning individual is significant. If anyone might return to thank Jesus, one would assume it would be a fellow Jew. Such, however, was not the case.
“This story is therefore like the others in which Jesus is rejected by his own people and accepted by people like this foreigner…. Jesus continues to be portrayed as the prophet who is rejected by those to whom he is sent” (Black, Luke, 289).
The Samaritan Did God’s Will.
Reacting to this individual, Jesus asked:
“Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).
Importantly, Jesus’s questions neither exalted the Samaritan who returned nor excused the nine who failed to express thanksgiving. He simply assessed the situation in a practical manner. If anything, the Samaritan did what all ten individuals ought to have done.
Thankfulness should flow from those who have been blessed. Conversely, those who are unthankful should be avoided (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5). We would do well to remember Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians:
“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The Samaritan was Blessed.
The section ends with Jesus pronouncing a blessing on the thankful Samaritan. He stated: “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19).
Given the context of Luke 17, his faith can be identified with active obedience. One is faithful who does what God expects of Him. Like the servant who fulfilled his responsibilities (see Luke 17:5-10), the Samaritan showed faith by expressing his gratitude.
When we do what God expects of us, we also act in faith. As Jesus’ statement indicates, the Samaritan’s faith set him apart from the others.
Black, Mark. The College Press NIV Commentary: Luke. Joplin: College Press, 1996.
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
