Sermon 1492A - The Stranger Principle - 1st Message…..(Sun am 11/17/96)

THE STRANGER PRINCIPLE — 1ST MESSAGE.....(SUN AM 11/17/96)

The Stranger Principle relates to the Law of Circularity. The story of ten lepers who were cleansed by Jesus is recorded in Luke 17:11-19. Nine of the lepers were Jews; one was a Samaritan who was a stranger to the Commonwealth of Israel.

As lepers, all ten men were standing afar off when they lifted up their voices, loudly asking Jesus to show them mercy. Jesus told all of them to go to Jerusalem and show themselves to the Priest, who, according to the Law, was the one who had to pronounce them clean. As they went on their way to Jerusalem, the Samaritan realized that he had been cleansed, and only he, a stranger, returned to express his gratitude to Jesus. Again, lifting up his voice, he glorified God and fell at the Feet of Jesus, giving Him thanks. To this stranger, Jesus said, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole” (Luke 17:19). All ten men were cleansed of their leprosy, but only one — the Samaritan, the stranger — was made whole — body, soul, and spirit.