THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

156Ingratitude was punished and gratitude was rewarded. Jesus commended only the faithwhich said, `Thank you'!"Our faith has been the means of receiving the cleansing.In chapter 7 of this same book Jesus also used the same phrase when He was anointed bya sinful woman. He assured her,“Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (7:50).Her sins were forgiven and she could experience God’s peace.In chapter 8 of Luke Jesus used the same phrase when He healed a sinful woman:“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (8:48).The Greek word for healed actually means saved. In the parallel passage in Mark (5:21-43) both physical healing (“be freed from your suffering”—Mk 5:34) and spiritual salvation (“goin peace”—Mk 5:34) are meant. The two are often seen together in Mark’s and Luke’s Gospel(Mk 2:1-12; 3:1-6).In that same chapter Jesus said to Jairus concerning his dead daughter:“Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed” (8:50).Although technically it is God—the Healer—who heals, it is faith that takes hold ofGod’s promises and are thus honored by God.THANKFULNESS IS RARELet us notice last of all what a rare thing thankfulness is!We are told that of all the ten lepers whom Christ healed, there was only one who turnedback and gave Him thanks.The words that fell from our Lord's lips upon this occasion are very solemn—"Were notall ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?"