Performance In Christianity series
Nine Jews and One Samarian, Leprosy – Performance of Jesus
Geographically this particular village was located between Jerusalem and Galilee by way of Samaria on a Southerly route. In a specific town that Jesus entered, a mixed group of ten lepers heard about Jesus coming through town and stood at a distance as was customary calling to Him. Lepers were not permitted to go into the company of those who were clean at the penalty of death (Leviticus 15:31). Lepers were considered as a reminder of the curse God pronounced on the earth (Genesis 3:17).
The ten leapers who stood off in the distance cried, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us' (Luke 17:12). The rationale of the purity laws leads us to the central lesson conveyed that only God is Holy, but human beings are contaminated with self-inflicted nonsense (SIN). The statement of mercy pumicates or rubs smooth, the roughness of humbleness of the inflicted by a Holy God. We struggle with purity because it rubs us the wrong way, and we are a proud people.
Jesus healed the lepers without touching, speaking, or showing any sign of effort, they were healed, and He said, "go show yourselves to the priest," following the tradition of their culture. The nine were Jews and had no reservation in the following of Mosaic tradition; however, the tenth man was a Samaritan. Historically, Samaritans were not considered as part of "the" people, Children of Israel. Still, they were not Gentiles either; the Samaritan was with them, but not of them, they only shared a single common alliance, they were lepers a group of unclean men.
The exclusive presence of Jesus being in the right place at the right time gives us a unique vantage point, we get to review the Grace of God and appreciate the Faith of the redeemed. The nine were healed in the flesh, but Jesus totally healed the Samaritan, in the flesh and the spirit because of faith. We are the children of disobedience (see Adam); some of us are more easily inclined to Grace than others, and it is a great aggravation of impenitency or the trait of refusing to repent, then of those who plentifully enjoy the means of Grace. Many sit under the means of Grace but are influenced by self-inflicted nonsense. Some would-be overjoyed if they had the opportunity to experience the same means of Grace by Christ Jesus in freedom from SIN. This is what happened with the Samaritan leper, he was ecstatic to be healed by Grace and didn't hesitate to give God the Glory. Expect the wholeness of Jesus.
Luke 17:11-19
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up [their] voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw [them], he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on [his] face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where [are] the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
The LORD Is There, Jehovah Shammah (Ezekiel 48:35), we thank You for the benevolence of Your Salvation and Grace. We praise You because You recognize our humble spirit. We decree and declare blessings upon those who see the action of Your Grace, so that; by the adoption of efficacious Grace, we are redeemed and sanctified for Your Glory. Now, for the Kingdom and Glory of God, we petition, with anointing in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior, Amen.