There is a wonderful event in the life of Jesus related in Luke 17. It involved ten lepers who were healed by Jesus and sent off to the priests to affirm their cleansing. One, a Samaritan, came back and fell at Jesus’ feet offering praise and glory to God. I love that story, but it is not the one I want to focus on this morning.
The one that has always been especially precious to me – and especially challenging – is found earlier in the chapter. Jesus’ disciples asked Him to “Increase our faith.” Jesus tells them they just need faith like a mustard seed. [vs 5-6]
Ah, if Jesus had just left it there, but He did not. He goes on to tell them about the duty that is attached to the faith. He uses an example of a slave who has spent the day toiling in the fields who then comes home and needs to make dinner for the master. He ends with a description of this slave that seems almost cruel. “In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are good-for-nothing [unworthy] slaves; we’ve only done our duty.’” [vs 10 HCSB]
When we approach this Scripture, we need to understand the norms of that society. Jesus describes here something that would have been a common practice and obvious to His listeners. It is totally foreign to us since this world’s idea of success is not servanthood but to lord it over others.
Jesus is not demeaning servants, instead He is giving the ideal of servanthood, and attaching duty to faith. The true bondservant of Christ Jesus has no reason for pride. In its place there must be a true sense of duty that is rooted in humility. Humility is the foundation of faith.
As we seek the LORD, our desire is to serve Him and do His work. That duty and accompanying faith provides us the power we need to thrive as we serve Him and others in His name. Jesus reminds us that we are not to feel proud of our faith or of our good works. They are, after all, what is expected of those who desire to be disciples of Christ.
LORD Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to serve You and others in Your name! Amen.
