Grace is for the Unworthy

Grace is, by its nature, for the unworthy. If you think you are worthy in yourself, then you will see no need for grace. If you know that you are not worthy, you will seek out grace and be very willing to receive it when it is offered.



Some of the most unworthy people as judged by the culture in the New Testament are lepers.



Lepers were total outcasts in the culture. They had to live separated from the rest of the population. They had to cry out “unclean” when they came close to nonlepers. Leprosy represents sin. So, from a spiritual view point, lepers would symbolize sinners. 



So, when Jesus told stories about lepers it tended to catch people’s attention.



Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem He was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master have mercy on us.” When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”



The first thing is that they called out to Jesus and recognized Him as Master.



They knew that grace and mercy are found in Jesus.

They knew that Jesus was Master and had the power to fulfill their request.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is recognizing that Jesus has the desire and the power to fulfill our needs.



The second thing is that they asked for mercy.



In Hebrews 4:16 we are told that we can with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.



There is never a time in Scripture when a person asks God for mercy that God does not grant mercy to that person.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is knowing that when we ask Jesus for mercy, He will give it to us.



The third thing is that when Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest, they turned and went.



The priest would be the one person who could officially declare the lepers clean and allow them to return to their families and real life again. The lepers were healed as they were turning to go to the priest.



God’s grace is poured out on all people, but His grace is personally experienced when we obey Him. It is not that God’s grace is not there all the time. But grace can only be experienced by a person in the element of obedience.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is, through obedience to Jesus, experiencing His grace.



The fourth is that only one of the ten lepers when he realized he was healed returned to thank Jesus and praise God. Jesus does not undo the healing of the nine who did not return. Jesus simple comments that only a Samaritan came back to show thanks.



Grace is free.

Grace is for the unworthy.

Grace is given to the ungrateful.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about Jesus and who He is, not about us or even our response to Jesus.



The fifth thing is that Jesus points out to the healed leper that it was his faith in Jesus that made him well.



It is Jesus and our faith in Him that brings salvation and all the other blessings of God. And remember that the size of faith necessary is that of a mustard seed.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is living based on the size of our Savior and not the size of our faith.



You and I are healed lepers, saved sinners, based on the grace of our Master and Savior Jesus.



In God’s Grace Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                         Joe