Lectionary:
Proper 23(C)
Text: Luke17:11-19
[It was an unusual Sunday. I was at the Lutheran Church as their musician this morning at the 10am service. And then I had volunteered to provide the sermon at the Presbyterian Church, because last Sunday the schedule didn't appear to have anyone assigned for today. I had been writing out complete sermons for a very long time now, but for a number of reasons, including time available and the intended audience for it, I went with an outline format, intending to flesh it out as I delivered it. When I arrived at the church, it turned out that someone had been scheduled and apparently the scheduler had forgotten or forgot to note it. Anyway, the end result is that she gave her sermon, and then I followed. There was really no overlap between the two, and I was relieved to have kept mine as an outline, so that I could improvise on the spot.]
Outline
I. What kind of disease?
A. Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) – No
1. Older Bible translations and some newer ones retain this word
2. Most modern scholarship reject this disease identification
3. Commentaries and sermons that describe leprosy as a disfiguring, gross, permanent disease were common in the past – still encounter some recent ones
B. Broad category of skin conditions – Yes (Leviticus 13)
1. Could include temporary, short-duration conditions, but also chronic ones – usually serious, but difficult to ascertain from Leviticus text
2. Inspection and rituals to restore purity after condition goes away
II. Ritual Purity
A. Not necessarily having to do with sin (as is commonly defined today)
B. Impurity does not imply individual is bad or did something wrong
C. Impurity itself was believed to be inherently contagious
D. Cuts an individual off from normal social and religious community
E. Rituals to restore purity and restore an individual back into communion
III. Different words used in describing the healing that took place
A. Cleansed [g2511. καθαρίζω katharizō] – vv. 14, 17
1. Origin of catharsis – “to release”
B. Healed [g2390. ἰάομαι iaomai] – v. 15
1. Modern usage – perhaps one origin of “-iatric” as found in words such as pediatric
C. Made Whole, Saved [g4982. σώζω sōzō] – v. 19
IV. Specific texts to highlight
A. “And as they went, they were made clean.” (v. 14)
1. They all go without first experiencing healing
2. Healing takes place along the way
3. All are cured
4. Word used is katharizō – a restoration of ritual purity
B. “Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.” (v. 15)
1. Word used is iaomai – physical healing
C. “And he was a Samaritan… ‘Did none of them return to give glory to God except this foreigner?’” (v. 16, 17)
1. Reader/listener now learns that the one who returned was an “outsider”, a Samaritan, a foreigner; one who was despised by the “insiders”
2. The other nine, being Jews had received what they needed to be restored into community. They had rituals and priests.
3. Those on the margins may realize need and experience gratitude more readily than those who “expect it”
a) Irony that all ten were on the margins before they were made clean
D. “'Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’” (v. 19)
1. Word used is sōzō – made whole and saved
2. It is the first time “faith” is mentioned in this narrative and it is in conjunction with gratitude toward God’s actions
V. What does this mean for First Presbyterian?
A. The community is currently not “whole”
1. Not saying the community is in a state of ritual impurity
2. But it is missing a critical element – a permanent pastor
B. How might this story find application or offer encouragement?
1. What might it look like for the church to be “whole”?
2. How might the instruction to go about regular business look like?
a) C.f., Today’s Jeremiah reading: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
3. What is faith and its role in bringing about restoration and completeness?
4. How does gratitude enter the picture?
a) C.f., Today’s Psalm reading: Psalm 66:1-12
5. What relevance might there be in Jesus locating himself and being found outside cultic traditions and hierarchy?
a) But also note that he instructed all ten to adhere to cultic tradition and practices
b) However, healing occurred before any of them were able to practice the cleansing rituals
c) Jesus did not tell the Samaritan who returned to then go and follow through on the rituals
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