Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 17 :1-10 "THE THIRD TOUGH LESSON TO LEARN"
Day 208 – Luke 17
Text: Luke 17 :1-10
THE THIRD TOUGH LESSON TO LEARN
Jesus just taught His Disciples two very challenging lessons. They must have appeared to be very tough to the Disciples. Nevertheless Jesus encouraged them to exercise their faith. Everything was within reach of the person who possesses faith – even if that faith is but the size of a mustard seed.
The first tough lesson was one of constant vigilance against the problem of becoming a stumbling block to others. The second tough lesson was to become an ever-forgiving person.
The third tough lesson was on the subject of Servanthood. Jesus had very high expectations concerning servanthood. It was another very tough and challenging lesson to master!
JESUS’ TEACHING ON THE SUBJECT OF SERVANTHOOD
The subject of servanthood was not unfamiliar to the Disciples. Jesus had shown the Disciples what it meant to serve. He Himself was the supreme example of servanthood. Jesus fulfilled all the prophetic literature concerning Messianic Servanthood (Cf. Isaiah 43, 61 etc).
Jesus had taught His Disciples that they were to become faithful servants of God. He had already given some very lofty lessons on the subject of servanthood. On one occasion He taught them that servants must always be watchful and alert. Those who are watchful will be blessed.
“Blessed are those servants whom the Master,
when he comes, will find watching…
And if he should come in the second watch,
Or come in the third watch,
And find them so (that is “watching”),
Blessed are those servants.”
Luke 12:37-38
Jesus also taught His Disciples that they must strive to be faithful and wise stewards. He said,
Who then is a faithful and wise steward,
Whom his Master will make ruler over his household,
To give them their portion of food in due season?
Blessed is that servant whom his Master
Will find so doing when he comes.
Truly, I say to you that he will make him
Ruler over all that he has.”
Luke 12:42-44
These were already very high ideals. However, Jesus expected His Disciples to be able to do even more as good servants of His.
“WE ARE UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS” Luke 17:10
The Scribes, the rulers of the synagogues and the priests of the Temple of Jerusalem were “servants of God’. It was their sacred duty to instruct people in the faith. They were meant to be custodians of the Word of God.
Sadly, these “servants of God” had become haughty in their self-righteousness. They had become enamoured of wealth. They certainly did not have this spirit of servanthood that Jesus sought to teach His Disciples! The religious leaders of the day were major stumbling blocks to many people! Jesus wanted to make sure that His Disciples did not end up being unfaithful stewards!
Thus Jesus taught His Disciples yet another lesson on servanthood. He taught them how they could preserve the true and good spirit of servanthood.
“So likewise you, when you have done all those things
which you are commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable servants.
We have done what was our duty to do.’ “
Luke 17:10
It is easy enough to begin serving the Lord in humility. However, it is not easy to continue to be humble! When people become really good in their work, the danger of becoming proud and arrogant is very real.
If a servant of the Lord becomes brash and arrogant, then he is in danger of becoming a stumbling block to others! Every servant of God has to take extra pains to safeguard his heart from becoming foolishly proud.
In this parable that Jesus told His Disciples, He painted a picture of a servant doing his duty. The servant could be sent out to do plowing. He could also be sent out to tend his Master’s sheep.
Both these jobs were tiring ones. The servant would have to work from morn till dusk. He would return home weary and worn out by the work that he did.
However, when he returns, he must not expect that his Master would serve him. The Master may expect even more from his servant. He could add to his already heavy workload, other household chores. After a busy day’s work in the field, the servant still has to cook supper and serve his master till he has had his fill. The good servant knows his place. He understands the demands of being a servant.
The true and good steward has the heart of a servant. He will not balk at the demands of his Master. He does not expect to do less. He sees himself as “an unprofitable servant”. He sees all his work as not deserving of praise. He just sees himself as one who had only done his duty!
Jesus had taught His Disciples yet another hard lesson. Could they learn and master these difficult lessons? Yes, if they understood the power of the faith that was in their hearts already! May we rise to the challenge of being good, wise, faithful and humble servants of God.