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In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’

Luke 17:10 (CSB)

Once again the emphasis here is not that we will never be thanked. The point is that service to the Lord is a matter of duty. We are not doing the Lord a favor. We are not going out of our way. We are not making a special effort.

Instead, when we serve and serve well, and long, and without complaint, we need not pat ourselves in the back for our performance. We are to count it due to a reasonable expectation. It is obedience.

This is a paradox. Service to the Lord is also a joy, and a blessing, and a comfort. We very often feel appreciated while doing it, and may even receive the appreciation of other persons. But it is still, no less, a duty.

Heavenly Father, what a joy it is to serve You! To be involved in what You are doing is frankly an overwhelming blessing! Your service is a comforting place in which to find oneself. Thank You Lord! We will gladly do our duty for Your glory. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Does he thank that servant because he did what was commanded?

Luke 17:9 (CSB)

Jesus is not saying that Christian ministers may never feel appreciated. He is not suggesting that He is never thankful for His servants. Things He says in other contexts tell us this.

But, this passage does help us to understand a very important concept that is sometimes missed. We are not meant to serve the Lord because we will be rewarded. We are not to do it for renumeration or kudos. Instead, we serve the Lord Christ as faithful servants and follow the commands of our Master.

Heavenly Father, whatever we find before our hand, let us do it for Your glory and to bring joy to Your heart. You are our worthy Master whom we love dearly. Never have You ever given is cause to doubt Your care. We can serve You in peaceful freedom because of Your boundless goodness. We find great joy in Your service! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’?

Luke 17:8 (CSB)

Job duties come first. This servant had to put the duties of his job ahead of his personal needs. Even today when we have far fewer of this type of working class, we must set aside personal schedules for work demands.

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing for us. You are good and You truly care for us. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Which one of you having a servant tending sheep or plowing will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?

Luke 17:7 (CSB)

One of the things we tend to forget as we read the gospels is that the audience of Christ was very often well off. Many of them at least knew someone who lived in some luxury. Thus, the teachings of Christ interact with this reality.

Heavenly Father, thank You for caring for us regardless of our bank account or social standing. Your goodness is evident and we trust to Your care. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,” the Lord said, “you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”

Luke 17:6 (CSB)

The context in which we find this verse is very revealing. Yes, the disciples requested more faith. But it is also placed between a discussion of forgiveness and a story about duty. Why?

Even at a basic level, faith will provide all that we need for doing that which we must do. If we are trusting to His Almighty Hand, the ability to do something will not be the obstacle.

If yoy are trusting in Him, He can help you to do your duty. He can help you to forgive as you should. He can help you to do all that you must do. Without this faith, the obstacle of ability will overcome you every time. With faith, it is all different.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love! If I were to express my love to You every moment of every day for the remainder of my life upon earth, I would not have equalled a small fraction of Your expression of love to me this very day. Your feeling is so much larger and grander than ours could ever be. But I will still love, knowing it will never be enough, but also knowing it will always be appreciated more than I could ever imagine. Thank You Lord! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

Luke 17:5

Our faith needs help all the time. But, truly, faith comes not so much in measure as in need. We tend to have it most when we most feel the need for it.

Heavenly Father, we will wake and see each day how much we depend upon You. Faith shows us that You are our hope in all things. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.

Luke 17:4 CSB

Seven is no magic number here. The point is that frequency is not a consideration. Genuine repentance is all that is required for genuine forgiveness. The important thing is the life that is at stake.

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself in our lives. We need You every moment of every day. You are worthy of all praise! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

Luke 17:3 CSB

The first sentence of this verse means to ‘watch yourself’ rather than anything else. The point here is to be sure you do not offend as top priority; and, then only it is your job to rebuke properly.

When offering a rebuke, however, you must stand prepared to forgive. Indeed, that is to be the whole purpose, to obtain repentance and freely give forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. You lead us to be what we would never be on our own. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Luke 17:2

Be careful not to misunderstand this verse. Jesus is not recommending that we haphazardly execute people. He is speaking in spiritual terms here and is helping us to understand that offences against others causing them to stumble from the path of the truth is every bit as serious as a crime.

Intentionally working to destroy the faith of others, or doing so through willful neglect, are serious problems. Jesus does not want anyone to be confused on this point. The purpose of all our actions must be to ‘gain a brother’ as Jesus says in Matthew 18:15.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the humbling influence of Your word. Each day, as we look into its truths, we are reminded of our own pride and sin. Thank You for working in our hearts. We are undeserving, but You are Holy. Only by your grace can we bow before You. Thank you! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

He said to his disciples, “Offenses will certainly come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

Luke 17:1 CSB

To give offense to those who are weak is very serious. We must consider carefully our actions towards others. Christians who easily and often cause others to feel mistreated, maligned, and even under attack should re-evaluate their lives.

There is a place for authority in the church. There will be the need for rebuke, as we see in a couple of verses. But all too often a habitually offensive individual cloaks themselves as a spiritual leader that is offering a supposedly godly rebuke.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving the unlovely! We are so very far from You when You reach out to us. Thank You for Your great work of grace, love, and forgiveness! Forever we will awe over the beauty that is the gospel. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.