September 16, 2010
ARE YOU MORE LIKE THE "ENTITLED NINE" OR THE "WORSHIPING ONE"?
Luke 17:11-19
Kraig Kubicek
Central Truth
The miraculous healing by Jesus must never be taken for granted, but always elicit a response of worship.
Key Verse | Luke 17:15–16
Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17:15-16)
Luke 17:11-19
Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, 1 17:12 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, 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 cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” 2 17:19 Or has saved you
Dive Deeper | Luke 17:11-19
When was the last time you were amazed at the fact that you could walk or that oxygen keeps you alive? How long ago did you appreciate someone in your life? I find myself often taking much of life for granted. It is as if I feel entitled to everything, and thus, everything loses its significance.
As I read about the encounter of Jesus and the lepers, it amazes me how quick I am to judge the nine who did not come back to thank Jesus. I mean, can you believe what happened? They were miraculously healed from a disease that kept everyone away from them. And in one moment, they were healed. An incredible event just transpired, and frankly, they just took it for granted. They missed the significance of the healing, but also took the Healer for granted.
I am often just like those nine lepers. I take for granted the miraculous work of what Christ has done for me. I take Him for granted, not just for forgiving me of my sin, which is incredible, but for the transformation and life He gives me daily. If we are honest, we all take the miraculous power of Christ for granted. We live in a very "entitled" culture, and we expect, or more accurately, feel entitled, just like the lepers, to have God to do what He does for us.
May we not take for granted what Christ has done. May we be reminded that what the one leper saw unfold before him was not just a healing, but was the miraculous work of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, and our ultimate Lifegiver.
May our response to what God has done and is doing in our lives be the same as the one leper: immediate, surrendered, humble, and awestruck WORSHIP!
Discussion Questions
1. What areas of your life are you taking for granted?
2. Do you have an attitude of entitlement or amazement when it comes to the miraculous power of God?
3. Where do you see God transforming and healing you?
4. What is your response when you see God working in your life?
5. Who are the people who encourage, support, challenge, and speak into your life as you experience the miraculous power of God? Who celebrates with you?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How many men did Jesus meet on his way to Jerusalem and what was wrong with them? What did they ask Jesus for? What did Jesus tell them to do? What happened to their leprosy?
2. Ten men were healed. How many came back to praise Jesus for their healing?
3. Do you always praise Jesus for what He has done in your life? This week, every day, make a list of praises to God for what He did in your life that day.