Luke 17
Bible Passage: Luke 17
Chapter 17 begins with
“Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!”
I find this verse in chinese easier to understand.
耶 稣 又 对 门 徒 说 ： 绊 倒 人 的 事 是 免 不 了 的 ； 但 那 绊 倒 人 的 有 祸 了 。
It is inevitable that people be offended, but woe to the person through whom these offenses come.
What does Jesus mean when He speaks of offenses?
I remember a brother mentioning one of his principles in Christian living is not to cause others to stumble. In his actions or in any decisions he makes, he takes care not to be a stumbling block to others. As parents, teachers or senior youths in church, it is important to watch the words we say or the things we do, lest the younger members be led into sin.
As brothers and sisters in church, we are responsible for each others’ faiths. If we love one another as Christ loves us, we will not be bringing offenses into each others’ lives.
GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART
The healing of the ten lepers is unlike most other miracles. The emphasis is placed on the reaction rather than the healing itself.
In those days, the lepers were a rejected group of people. They were out casted by society, much like those who have aids today.
When the lepers cried out to Jesus for mercy, the answer to their troubles came quickly.
However, only one returned to give thanks. In fact, he received the grace of salvation when Jesus said to him, ““Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
While the other nine lepers received whole bodies, their hearts were still sick. They were saved physically but not spiritually.
Do we see ourselves in those nine lepers? We received God’s mercy to have our sins washed away through baptism, but do we remember that it was God who has given us this gift of salvation? Do we still cherish this grace today and give thanks constantly?
Does Jesus notice our lack of gratitude? In our prayers, do we praise God? Do we need a reason for gratitude before God?
I know that I have neglected to thank God for so many blessings and I have taken Him for granted.
Our gratitude is expected. If we do not show our gratitude, our Lord will not be pleased with us. May He guide us to lead lives pleasing to Him.
3 Comments
appleofHiseye
Just today, I happened to stumble across this story of the 10 lepers while reading through a series of children’s bible stories. And from InHisTime’s sharing, we have so many points to reflect on why we should be thankful. So I decided to take a closer look at the leper that returned to Jesus.
The leper who came back was a “Samaritan”-why would the Bible emphasise that? Just from looking at that line, it seems to imply the other 9 were all Jewish. And the thing was, in those times Samaritans weren’t so good when together with Jews. Like the incident where Jesus was talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, when she said, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans (John 4:9). It is probably liken to two parties who experience tensions within church. Because both Samaritans and Jews were part of the great Israelite nation, but then they got separated during captivity.
Anyways this Samaritan once-a-leper-but-not-anymore came back to thank Jesus. He THANKed Jesus, in a LOUD VOICE, and FELL DOWN at His feet-it shows how thankful he was. Also this event shows how observational Jesus is too and He does have a expectation of us. Though He may be a loving and merciful being, we should repay Him because we owe it to Him:
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:1-3)
Thank you for the sharing and encouragement InHisTime…I know I have also neglected to thank God for the many blessings He has given me.
InHisTime
“He THANKed Jesus, in a LOUD VOICE, and FELL DOWN at His feet-it shows how thankful he was.”
Hi appleofHiseye, thank you for pointing that out. I find myself thanking God only for the first few days after He blessed me with what I prayed for. Surely this lack of gratitude will displease Him.
I should be ashamed of myself for taking God for granted.. May He have mercy on us.
PS
Luke 17:20-21 Now when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
The Pharisees asked “when”. Lord Jesus replied “where”. It seemed that Lord Jesus did not really answer the Pharisees.
Lord Jesus pointed out a misconception of the Pharisees and gave them an answer which could truly help them: the kingdom of God is within them!
Yes, i receive a renewed heart at baptism. However have i allowed my heart to be continually used as land of God and submit to God such that it becomes a good ground?
Or have i stop tilling the land of God and allow Satan to have a foothold?
Although the arrival of the kingdom of God is not with observation, the tilling of the land of God is visible and the fruits bear from the ground is also visible.
Luke 17:37 …”Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”
If a believer does not live as a living to God and the kingdom of God is not within him, he’ll be a body which the eagles (may be specifically vultures) feasted at.
May God help us to be able to answer,” We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)