Greetings everyone.
It has been a while since I have posted on this blog. I hope to write more consistently moving forward. Anyway, last I posted we were in Luke 17. Jesus had challenged his disciples that they should not be stumbling blocks, and be willing to forgive those who sin against them. In response, the disciples asked for greater faith. Jesus tells them that with just the faith of a mustard seed, they could uproot trees and cast them into the ocean. Then he follows with the handful of verses that we will ook at today. Here is my translation of Luke 17:7-10:
7 Which one of you, who has a servant who is plowing or tending to the sheep, will say to them, when they come in from the fields, ‘Quickly, come sit at the table’? 8 Wouldn’t you instead say, ‘Make my dinner and get yourself ready to serve me while I eat and drink. After that you can have your dinner”? 9 Would you thank the servant for doing what he was ordered to do? 10 It is the same with you. When you have done all that you have been commanded to do, you say, ‘We are just unworthy servants. We have only done what we were supposed to do.”
Jesus finishes his series of thoughts by asking that began with a discussion about stumbling blocks and forgiveness, by sasking, “Which one of you, who has a servant who is plowing or tending to the sheep, will say to them, when they come in from the fields, ‘Quickly, come sit at the table’?” The Greek word here is Δοῦλον (doulon), which is often translated as servant, actually is the word for slave.
Jesus’ question is rhetorical, of course. People who have servants don't ask them to sit at the table. Everyone would all understand that the master is served and the servant does the serving. Jesus continues his thought by pointing out that the master would more likely have the servant who has been working in the field, be the one to make and serve dinner. Then, when the master is done, the servant may eat. He also points out that the servant can not really expect to be shown special gratitude for doing what he was commanded to do.
You may ask, "Where is Jesus going with this?" Being told that we are servants, who serve without receiving any gratitude is exactly encouraging. But, I think that Jesus is making an important point. We must hold on to humility. Even when we have done everything, we should remember that we are merely servants, doing only what we were called to do.
Think of the Pharisees. they were not like this. They took great pride in their obedience to the commands, actually taking their obedience to a place that God had never intended, putting on a great show of their piety, and accepting praise from others. But, Jesus says, “When you have done all that you have been commanded to do, you say, ‘We are just unworthy servants. We have only done what we were supposed to do.” No matter what good I may accomplish, I need to always remember this and stay humble. Even though I really like praise, I need to always remember that this kind of humility is the right attitude of the heart for a disciple of Jesus. Fulfilling our responsibilities doesn’t earn us anything. We must, instead, rely on God’s grace.
In verse 10, the Greek adjective ἀχρεῖοί (achraioi) is used to describe the state of our servanthood. The word can be translated as useless or unworthy. Within the context, unworthy makes the most sense. The servant, having plowed the field, made and served dinner, has proven his usefulness, but he recognizes his unworthiness.
As disciples of Jesus, we recognize that we are indeed unworthy servants. However, God has found enough worth in us to redeem us with the blood of His Son. As his servants we should not seek to make ourselves worthy and be recognized as such, but rather, we can enjoy that worthiness that comes from God. A worth that Jesus earned for us, and we didn’t earn. Our ability to recognize our own unworthiness shows a sense of humility before God.
Tom
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