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When He was asked by the Pharisees, ‘When comes the Kingdom of God?’ He responded to them and said, ‘The Kingdom of God does not come as an event that will be noticed;’

Luke 17:20

The Pharisees had not noticed the prophesies already fulfilled in Christ. Their Lord had come to them and they were, for the most part, ignorant of the fact. Thus He tells them that the Kingdom of God was not something they had recognized.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Kingdom! Your Son is my King forever! Thank You for life in him! It is joy and peace to live in Christ in Your will. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And said to him, “Rise, go your way. Your faith has saved you.”

Luke 17:19

Two important things are shared here, and we must not miss them. First, Jesus indicates this Samaritan can go where he needs to next. He does not have to make his way to the priests, who would likely reject him. Thus, Jesus judges him clean and sends him on his way.

Second, and more importantly, Jesus communicates to this man the right focus. This man obviously understood that Jesus was the source of his healing, and that Jesus was truly sent by God. It is this faith that leads to salvation, not just healing. True faith had given this Samaritan grace.

Heavenly Father, thank You! Your grace through Christ amazes me. Salvation is so great. Jesus is our Hope, Rock, and sure Foundation. I need only fear You, and You give me life through Christ. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Was there found to return and give glory to God none but this one foreigner?

Luke 17:18

Jesus makes a big deal out of this lack of thanksgiving and praise. Considering what had been done for them, it would have cost the nine little to return to offer praise as well.

Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for what You have done in our lives. To know salvation in Christ is the most wonderful gift! Your amazing grace is hard for us to fathom. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Responding to this, Jesus said, ‘Were not ten purified? But the nine, where are they?’

Luke 17:17

Jesus intentionally highlights the fact that the majority had chosen a different course. So often this is the case, the majority chooses to take the easy road and the few will make the effort to bring glory to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your truth. You do not lie to us, but you give us the clear truth of the gospel. Thank You for Your great love and mercy! You teach us Your justice and glory. You are wonderful and beautiful in all Your ways. Jesus is our Hope! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan.

Luke 17:16

Ah here we have the perfect posture for thanksgiving to Almighty God! Jesus is responded to in the only way that anyone can properly do it. A position of complete and total worship is here taken. How appropriate!

And, he was a Samaritan. Why is this important? Because Jesus was about to make a comment about it. He would highlight the fact that it was the Samaritan only who came back to express thanks.

Heavenly Father, thank You for love. We think we know what that word means. But only as we receive it from You do we begin to see. Facedown we will praise You! You are wonderful! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God.

Luke 17:15

This man did what the Lord had told him. But, upon seeing himself healed, he understood that Jesus was the One Who healed him. He knew that the priests he was going to see were then representatives of the One Who had done this, the Lord Jesus.

He returns to Christ immediately, for he now knows much more has happened to him today than his release from leprosy. He has met the Lord, Christ.

Heavenly Father, to spend a million years pondering the beauty of Christ, would be a sublime joy. Your Son is our Hope and Anchor. As our ship sails this life, Jesus inhabits the deepest wonder of our souls. Thank You, Father, for Christ! May all glory be to You dear Father! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

When he saw them, he told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were cleansed.

Luke 17:14 (CSB)

Jesus did not do all of His miracles this way. But this is truly amazing, and is a beautiful testimony to His power and glory.

Very significantly, it teaches a truth that Jesus drives home many times in the gospels. Faith in Christ is the primary need of any individual. Though each of these persons were impacted by a terrible disease, their most important need could not be met by being released from it. They needed not just to be well; they needed to be whole.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and mercy! Thank You for leading us to the truth and being straightforward with us. Your ways are wonderful to us. You are full of glory! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

 and raised their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’

Luke 17:13 (CSB)

This must be the cry of every person. The Master will not turn a deaf ear to this cry. He has assured us that He hears and answers such a prayer, offered in faith. It is His glory to make such mercy possible.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and unfailing love! Your work is a wonderful mystery to us that we constantly learn more about. You are glorious! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

As he entered a village, ten men with leprosy, met him. They stood at a distance.

Luke 17:12 (CSB)

Being a group of lepers, they could not come closer to the Lord due to His proximity to the village. They would have been well aquatinted with one another, and likely came from the same location nearby. There may perhaps have been others who did not come.

Imagine the conversation that must have taken place among these dear folks along the way. Jesus was their only hope. And indeed, that is the only right reason to come to Him, because He is the Only Hope for any of us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for hope in Christ. We are so blessed who are free of constant pain, shame, and fear. But that freedom makes these realities no less dire. You are our hope in all of life, not just in a limited religious experience. We share the same deep need these lepers had, the need for Christ. Thank You, Father, for the Son! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

While traveling to Jerusalem, he passed between Samaria and Galilee.

Luke 17:11 (CSB)

This verse sets the stage for what was about to take place. One of the lepers was from Samaria. The Jews would normally try to avoid Samaritans as much as possible. But Jesus did not, He made Himself reachable.

Heavenly Father, if You had not revealed Yourself to us, we could never know You. What mercy! We often praise You for Your mercy in loving us, but to even allow us to understand some about You is also a mercy. You could easily have cared for us but kept us ignorant. Thank You for Your perfect plan! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.