Luke 17:11-19 (Calvary Roads 1)

In Luke 9:51 we read that Jesus set His face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem.  This was after the first (9:21-22) and second (9:43-45) predictions that they were going to Jerusalem where He would suffer, be killed and then raised the third day.  But at that time Jesus did not immediately begin that journey.  He was, in essence, making it clear that this is where He and His ministry were headed.  

In our journey with Jesus through the research of Dr. Luke we come to a turning point.  The emphasis has been on the training of Jesus’ followers, and that does not end at this point.  He will be training them even after His death and resurrection (Lk. 24:44-49).  What we see now is that the actual final journey to Jerusalem begins, being indicated by the words as He went to Jerusalem in v11.

In fact, since that time, He had made another trip around the Sea of Galilee to be in the synagogues.  He had made at least a couple of trips to Jerusalem during this time (Lk. 10:38-42 and the raising of Lazarus in John 11 fit this time).  And the teaching we have enjoyed from Luke 12-16 occurred in this time.  

Luke now says that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  This fits John 11:53-55, that after raising Lazarus and the growing plot to put Him to death, Jesus hid out near the wilderness in a city called Ephraim.  As Passover drew near and the crowds began to head up to Jerusalem, Jesus joined them on the road.  

On the map Ephraim, being on the border of Samaria and Galilee, was closer to Jerusalem if He headed south through Samaria.  But Jesus makes a decision to take the normal route for the Jews to get from Galilee to the Temple (in John 4:4 He had made a decision to go through Samaria).  This route required Him to first go north to catch the road, perhaps near Beit Shan, and then to accompany the growing crowds as they headed down the Jordan to Jericho and then up to Jerusalem.  Jesus love caused Him to go to Calvary AND to join the crowds for one more opportunity to call them to follow Him.

The ministry had not ended.  He continued to demonstrate His Messiahship, as we see in the healing of the lepers.  Jesus’ telling the lepers to show themselves to the priests fulfilled the Mosaic requirements (Lev. 14:1-32) but it also was a testimony to the priests and other shepherds of Israel.  The lepers, with only one having faith to recognize Jesus as Messiah, illustrate the teaching that follows (17:20-37) that will occupy our attention tomorrow.  For the moment let us understand that the lesson is not simply one of courtesy (saying thank you).  It is one of worship, of glorifying God, of falling down on his face at His feet!  Every blessing is from God and should be received with the worship of thanksgiving.