Luke 17
January 25, 2022
“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.”
This parable (v7-10) comes right before the story of the ten healed lepers, only one of which returned to give thanks to Jesus (v15-16)). The point of both the parable and the healing is that the only appropriate response to God’s grace is obedience and gratitude - not entitlement or self-centeredness. It sounds harsh that Jesus would call us to see ourselves (and call ourselves) ‘unworthy servants, who have only done our duty,’ but He is actually being gracious, helping us not to slip into ‘thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought’ (Philippians 2). It’s not that Jesus will call us ‘unworthy servants.’ In fact, after the completion of our service, Jesus promises to say to those who have been faithful, ‘Well done, my good servant’ (Luke 19:17)
Lord, I give you praise for who You are and all that You’ve done for me and given me. Truly, all that I have is only by Your grace! Help me to be so grateful for Your grace - that my response is to serve You, and to do so without falling into a spirit of entitlement, but patiently waiting for Your commendation! All that I have, and all that I get to do (even the hard stuff) - is by Your grace and for Your glory. Help me to live like it today!
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
