The Ten Lepers (Lu. 17:11-19) (Part 2)

THE ONE LEPER WAS IN DOUBLE DANGER.

• The first danger? He was a LEPER.   “...ten leprous men...” (v. 12).
• Lepers were outcasts.
• Lepers were despised.
• Lepers were unclean.
• Lepers were isolated.
• Leprosy began with “brownish-red spots on the face, ears, forearms, thighs and/or buttocks which later become thickened nodules and, losing their skin covering, become ulcers (“sores”) with subsequent loss of tissue and then contraction and deformity.”¹
• Lepers were thought to be diseased because of some sin they committed.
• “The Jews called leprosy 'the finger of God,' or 'the stroke,' indicating thereby that the disease was regarded as a punishment from God and absolutely incurable, except by the same divine power which permitted it.”²
• In the Bible, sin is likened to leprosy.
• The second danger? He was a SAMARITAN. “And he was a Samaritan” (v. 16).
• The Jews and Samaritans were the Hatfield's and McCoy's of their day.  Perhaps they weren't so outwardly violent as that, but they were as inwardly hostile.
• A Samaritan woman once asked Jesus, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (Jn. 4:9).  Notice the explanation that qualifies her concern: “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”
• Can any of my readers identify with the stigma of the Samaritan leper?
• You are overwhelmed by the extent of your need.
• You feel lonely and depressed.
• You think, “Where is the milk of human kindness?”
• Perhaps you have wondered, “Does Jesus even care?”
• Do I ever have some good news for you!
• Jesus specializes in helping those who are in double jeopardy, those who are sin- filled outcasts, those who have kept their distance from Him.
• He speaks His word and heals your disease (Psa. 107:20).
• He applies the soothing Balm of Gilead (Jer. 8:22) to your tender, wounded soul.

1Adolph, Paul E. “Diseases.” Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary. Ed. Merrill C. Tenney. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1963. p. 218.

2Lockyer, Herbert. All The Miracles of The Bible. The “All” Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1961. p. 172.