A Few Quick Notes – Luke 17 and 18

Today here are a few quick notes from Luke 17 and 18. They are different lessons but all important.

Unworthy Servants

Luke 17:7-10 – 7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Often times, we feel like if we do the work of God, we deserve something in return.  I know a few weeks ago, I was frustrated with how I prepared slides for church, how I helped create ads for church events, and how I helped lead worship and seemed to get nothing in return.  I, in my frustration, said, “God won’t do anything for me.  I just keep doing His work and get nothing in return.”  Surprisingly, that same day when I went to an event that had limited seats and was on the wait list to get in, got in.  It was then that I realized that God does take care of His children.  He lovingly provides for them and gives them what is best for them.  But I also realized that I had no right to demand that God give me anything for my service.  Jesus shared our passage today with His disciples to remind them that when they served God, they shouldn’t expect anything in return.  God had already given them everything.  He gave them salvation.  He gave them a home in heaven.  He gave them Himself.  And even if He didn’t give any of these things, He was still God and deserved their praise, worship, and service.  They were servants of God, and if they did what God asked, they were only fulfilling their duty.  We as people are wicked servants, unworthy to serve a loving and perfect God, yet He still gives us an opportunity to take part in His work.  We must be grateful that we even have that chance.  When we serve God, we are only doing our duty. 

An Appreciative Leper

Luke 17:11-19 – 11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

When was the last time, you thanked God for something He did for you.  It is very easy for us to expect God’s blessings in our lives, because He richly and lovingly provides.  We don’t thank Him for the breaths that we take each moment.  We don’t thank Him for the safety He gives us as we drive from home to work.  We don’t thank Him for the food He provides us on our table each day.  We quickly forget the blessings of God.  In our passage today, ten lepers asked for cleansing from Jesus, and they were healed with a simple word.  Yet, only one person returned to thank Him.  The rest were unappreciative of His healing.  Let us not take for granted what God has done for us.  Instead, let us give Him praise and thankfulness for His blessings in our lives, especially as we approach this Thanksgiving season. 

Don’t Let Riches Stop You

Luke 18:18-24 – 18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

What is keeping you from turning your life over to God.  Is it your love for your pet sin that you don’t want to repent from?  Is it your fear of ridicule and persecution from family and friends who are unbelievers?  Is it because you would rather chase the things of this world than follow God?  Or is it because you have so much in this world, that you find no need for Him?  This is why Jesus Christ told this rich young ruler as well as His disciples that it would be difficult for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God.  There is so much stopping them.  There is their love for riches that keeps them from desiring God.  Like the soil filled with thorns and weeds, the word of God is choked from producing fruit.  There is their self-sufficiency based on their wealth, which keeps them from realizing their need for God.  There is their fear of what others will think, because they could quickly lose their power and respect when they give their lives over to Him.  But trust me, when I say, it is well worth losing all of that in order to gain a relationship with God.  He is worth far more than those riches.  So let go and come to God today.  Don’t let the blessings and riches in your life stop you from experiencing a life with God.