5. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
6. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
7. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8. And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9. Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
11. And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off;
13. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18. There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
(Memorize verses 17–19.)
Golden Text: “Lord, increase our faith.” Luke 17:5.
NOTE.—Between verses 10 and 11 chronologically belongs the raising of Lazarus from the dead. That event occurred at Bethany a few months prior to the crucifixion, and after the journey through Perea. Because of this miracle, the Jews sought the life of Jesus with redoubled energy, and to escape them for the time, he went to the north. It was on the return to Jerusalem, passing through Galilee and Samaria, that the incident occurred which is related in verses 11 to 19. Besides reading the whole chapter, note also Matt. 17:20; 21:19-22; Mark 11:20-24; John 14:12.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What did the apostles say to the Lord? Verse 5. Note 1. (2) What was the power of the faith the Lord recommended to them? Verse 6. Note 2. (3) What query did he introduce? Verse 7. (4) What is the more frequent command? Verse 8. (5) What thanks will the servant receive? Verse 9. (6) In what manner did Jesus apply the parable? Verse 10. Note 3. (7) Through what places did Jesus pass on his way to Jerusalem? Verse 11. (8) Who met him in a certain village? Verse 12. Note 4. (9) What did the lepers say? Verse 13. (10) How did Jesus reply? Verse 14. (11) What did one of them do? Verses 15, 16. Note 5. (12) Who was the man? Verse 16. (13) What question did Jesus ask? Verse 17. (14) How did he comment upon the incident? Verse 18. (15) With what words did he address the stranger? Verse 19. Note 6.
NOTES.
1. Increase our faith.—The subject of offenses and instruction concerning forgiving had just been presented by the Lord. Woe unto him who is a stumbling-block in the way of others, or who causes others to err by his course. The instruction condemns likewise everything that tends to hinder development of a right character, and strikes directly at many cherished desires and selfish pleasures. In Matt. 18:21, 22 the number of times that forgiveness shall be granted is placed at seventy times seven. That is, forgive as often as we would be forgiven. It was perhaps the great need of constant power from on high thus so vividly presented to the apostles that led them to make this prayer, “Lord, increase our faith.”
2. If ye had faith.—Mark speaks of a faith capable of removing mountains, and immediately adds, “Therefore, . . . what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. Many have speculated as to whether actual mountains and trees could be removed by the prayer of faith, and we have heard of persons praying to this end. Doubtless the prayer of real faith would accomplish this, but it must be remembered that such a prayer contains no selfish motive of whatever nature. And as to need, the Lord knows best what is for our best interests, the interests of all, and the glory of his name. Jesus prayed the prayer of faith that the cup which he was to drink might pass from him, yet to it was added, “Thy will be done.” But there are obstacles which appear as mountains in the way of the Christian, and oft-times he is permitted to encounter them in order to put to a practical use his faith. Perhaps even then the exercise of the minute mustard seed grain of faith will alter his view of the obstacle. But, given a chance to grow, the grain will reveal a wonderful growth.
3. Unprofitable.—The word freely rendered is, having done no more than duty. There is no opportunity for boasting of one’s own deeds in the Lord’s service. This does not make him unjust, nor his service hard. But all that man can do is what the Lord helps him to do. The sum total of service is no more than what he ought to do, for all he has and is belongs to the Lord, who has redeemed him from the bondage of sin. Note the Lord’s words in Luke 12:37, in connection with this parable.
4. Stood afar off.—Altho it is said they met him, yet they stood afar off. They came forth to speak with him, but were compelled by the law concerning lepers, to keep at a distance from others.
5. One of them . . . turned back.—They had faith to start, for they were in the way of custom and the law. See Lev. 13:2. But on the way they were cleansed, and to one only, it seems, came the realization of what had been done for him. The rest passed on to the priests. The one, a Samaritan at that, was moved with love towards his Benefactor, and gave God the glory. It is very often the case that one’s love for the Lord and his service is in proportion to the amount of physical benefit received.
6. Thy faith hath made thee whole.—This man had a different experience than did the others. His faith made him whole in every way, gave him a new heart, changed his course of life. The cleansing power reached deeper than the flesh. It touched his sins and drove them away. This is what the Lord designs his word to do for every soul. He knows best if the disease of body should be stayed, and yet who will limit his willingness in this direction even? But the soul cleansing is complete always if his word is taken with pure faith. The seat of all disease, mental and physical, is sin, and the soul cleansed from this bane has the assurance of complete restoration when all things shall be created anew. See Rev. 20:4, 5.
