One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Friday (Good Friday) April 15th. "Jesus Heals 10 Lepers, But Only One Gives Thanks!" "Jesus Teaches About His Second Coming!"
Chapter 11 tells us how Joshua in obedience to the Moses and Lord's command defeated all the kings of the Northern part of the Promised Land. Quite a formidable force had allied and was arrayed against him at the waters of Merom, which was north of the Sea of Galilee.
All these kings came out to fight. Their combined armies formed a vast horde. And with all their horses and chariots, they covered the landscape like the sand on the seashore. verse 4
Joshua followed the Lord's orders by burning their chariots and crippling their horses. Importantly it says the Lord hardened their hearts so they did not offer to make a treaty of peace with the Israelites.
The hardening of men’s hearts is when God gives man up to the sin that is in his heart (Romans 1:24-28).
Once again we see that the Israelites had to destroy the people so the Israelites so they would not have the potential to intermarry with these people.
Joshua fought with boldness and strategy, he surprised them with an unexpected ambush. - Guzik
At the end of these conquests the land rested from war.
“Much territory was yet to be possessed, but it was left to each tribe to possess what potentially it had received through the conquest of the whole people in which it had taken part. Each tribe was to apply individually the lessons it had learned in united war if it was to possess its inheritance. That the tribes failed to do so was not a reflection on the power of God, but on the failure to take for themselves what Joshua had given and allotted to each one of them.” (Redpath)
Kings Defeated East of the Jordan
Chapter 12 is a recap of all the kings and cities they have defeated so far.
All the kings, thirty-one: As well, it was a way that Israel could forever remember the great things God had done for them. “Sometimes in the course of human experience it is good to sit down and reflect on what has been conquered by the grace of God.” (Redpath)
All the kings: With all these kings conquered – with every one of these “principalities and powers” over the land defeated – there is no doubt that the land belongs to Israel, but the individual tribes still have much to possess for their own. - Guzik
Ten Healed of Leprosy
The ten lepers approached Jesus together perhaps because there was power in numbers. It would have been risky for a leper to approach a rabbi in public due to their status as being "unclean". But they approach Jesus with the words, "Jesus, master have mercy on us." They both recognize Jesus as Lord and also humbly ask for mercy. Jesus, always the merciful one, heals them in a way we have not seen before. He tells them to go present themselves to the priest and ON THEIR WAY, they are healed.
“It is as we go on the commanded road that we experience the commanded blessing. Let the Church obey the command of the Lord Jesus, and with enthusiasms evangelise the nations, and, as she goes, she will be healed.” (Morrison)
But the irony of the story was that only the Samaritan came back to give Jesus thanks. This implies that the rest of them were Jewish. Since the Samaritans were despised by the Jews, it might have inspired the Samaritan to be more grateful than the others. Yet, it does not excuse the other men who didn't come back to give thanks.
Jesus missed the nine who did not return to give thanks. He wondered where they were. Jesus also notices our lack of gratitude. Guzik
“The question was asked, and it at once proves the value He sets upon the service of praise…One wonders whether it is not so that our Lord has been asking this question very constantly.” (Morgan)
The Coming of the Kingdom
As we have seen throughout the gospel of Luke, the coming kingdom was a frequent topic and theme for Jesus. But when the Pharisees ask him about the kingdom, he tells them that the kingdom has an invisible quality to it. Those who are looking for it will find it and those who don't wont.
Jesus brought the kingdom to earth when he descended from heaven to become a man. But soon, Jesus would die on a cross and be raised from the dead on Easter. Then they would wonder when the kingdom would come because they thought Jesus' purpose was to bring in the kingdom by political might.
Even after the resurrection they would long for him to return to set up his eternal kingdom. Jesus doesn't give them a date only the condition the world when will be in when he will return to it. It will be like it was in the days of Noah when people were living for themselves and not expecting for God to hold them accountable. It will be like the days of Lot when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah due to their extreme wickedness and disregard for the Lord.
In the New Testament the bible says Jesus will come, "Like a thief in the night!"Matthew 24:43, 1 Thessalonians 5:2
People spend a lot of time trying to figure out when Jesus is going to return. I am not sure why? First, we don't know when it will be Second, we need to be prepared at anytime? So ... always be ready for Jesus to return. Don't try and time it!
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