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Luke 17:1-37 The kingdom of forgiveness and gratitude

Jesus amazed his disciples, saying they should forgive "Even if someone sins against you seven times in one day." (We more often hear the "seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21-22) version.) "Increase our faith!" the disciples said. But Jesus said faith isn’t a matter of quantity. He healed ten lepers who showed just a little faith. Only one (a Samaritan) bothered to say "thank you." When Pharisees asked when (in the future) God’s Kingdom would come, Jesus’ answer focused mainly on the need for his hearers’ to recognize and trust God daily.

  • On his way to Jerusalem, somewhere near the border between Galilee and Samaria, Jesus met the ten lepers. After Jesus healed and delivered them all, only a Samaritan praised God. Are there any experiences or obstacles that make it harder for you to have a more grateful spirit? Are there things you have forgotten or neglected to thank and praise God for?
  • In 17:21, Luke used the Greek words ent?s hum?n, which could mean either that God’s kingdom is "among you" or "within you" (or, perhaps, both?). What different emphases and nuances do you find in the two possible meanings? To what extent does each of them ring true to your experience of living in the Kingdom of God that Jesus preached?

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