Gratitude from an Outsider
Luke 17:11–19
It’s Thanksgiving in Canada. This holiday was a combination of the harvest festival of the indigenous people and the celebration of safe voyage for European settlers who came to this land many years ago.
The Gospel last Sunday was about the healing of ten lepers in Luke 17:11–19
It begins with Jesus on his way to Jerusalem and was passing by the borders of Galilee and Samaria. It was in this in-between space that he was confronted by ten lepers begging for mercy. Perhaps they were hoping that he could give them something that would ease their suffering. Instead, Jesus told them to go to the priest to be examined. On their way, they were healed. However, of all the ten, only one bothered to return to Jesus to thank him. Luke took note that this person was actually a Samaritan, or “a foreigner”, according to Jesus. The story ends with Jesus affirming that it was the faith of this stranger, an outsider, that made him well (lit. saved him).
HEALING IN A PLACE OF DARKNESS & ISOLATION
In the story, Jesus was seen walking in a space of ambiguity, marginalization, and isolation. Borders and boundaries are often places for people who have lost their social, political, and religious acceptability because of their impurity or deformity, such as the lepers. But it was in this dark place of human suffering and loneliness that Jesus was seen walking. It was when Jesus came to this ungracious space that healing and transformation happened.
GRATITUDE FROM AN OUTSIDER
After healing the ten lepers, only one came back to thank Jesus. Surprisingly this someone is a person who does not have familial affiliation to Jesus. He was a foreigner, a stranger, someone who is different. He was called a Samaritan which is a derogatory expression for people who are looked down upon and deemed unacceptable to Jewish culture. But Jesus healed this outcast and even praised him for his faith that was displayed by the demonstration of his gratitude.
SALVATION THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS
Apparently, according to Jesus, the Samaritan leper was made well because of his faith. The literal expression here is, “Your faith has saved you” as if Jesus was saying that it was also because of your faith that you were healed. We already know that Jesus has the power to save and heal people (including the ungrateful ones), but those who believe and come to Jesus are the ones that are truly saved and restored.
Here are some practical questions for the church today:
Where is Jesus sending us to bring his love and healing for people? In other words, what are the cultural and spiritual boundaries we need to cross in order to bring God’s mercy and compassion to people who need it the most?
Who are the foreigners, strangers, or outsiders that Jesus wants us to reach out to? From the Gospel we learned that to Jesus all people deserve God’s mercy and salvation regardless of their physical deformity or spiritual uncleanness. We need to learn to walk along with these people and bring the saving power of Jesus to them.
How can we demonstrate the mercy and compassion of Jesus that could bring healing to people who are suffering not just because of physical illnesses but also from psychological and spiritual isolation? Jesus is calling his church to bring his presence in hard and dark places so that the sick and the suffering can experience his comforting presence and loving embrace.
Happy thanksgiving!!!
