Meditation: Trinity 14 - 2020

13 September 2020

Text: Luke 17:11-19

 [Note: this meditation was read by the deacon in the absence of the pastor]

Today’s Gospel is not a parable, but an actual turn of events.  But it reads like a parable, because Jesus uses it to teach us about the kingdom of God, about our sinful nature, about the Lord’s mercy, and about what it means to live the Christian life.

Ten lepers stand “at a distance.”  Their leprosy keeps them away from God.  Sin is like leprosy.  It may make us ashamed to be around God, or it may make us not care if we are around Him or not.  And yet, something inside us draws us to Jesus when we realize that we need help.

The ten lepers cry out for mercy, just like we poor miserable sinners to in the liturgy: “Lord, have mercy upon us.  Christ, have mercy upon us.  Lord, have mercy upon us.”  Jesus hears their prayer and cleanses them of their leprosy.  Jesus hears our prayer and cleanses us of our sins: by His sacrificial blood shed on the cross, by the waters of Holy Baptism, and by His powerful Word: “Go, and show yourselves to the priests.”  The Word of Jesus enables us to stand forgiven before the Law.

So then what?  Nine of the lepers are healed, but do not return to give thanks.  But the Samaritan, the lowly and humble former leper falls before Jesus in worship and gives Him thanks and praise with his voice.  And this is what we do when we gather around Jesus in Word and Sacrament.  Our life as forgiven sinners continues in the presence of Jesus.  The Christian life is a life of gratitude.  Our entire lives are lived at the feet of our Master, and we are always praying and always giving thanks for His mercy.  We find our healing and our life in Him, even unto eternity. 

To be a Christian is to be the Tenth Leper, and it is our joy to hear our Lord say to us: “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”  

Amen.