Luke 17:1-19
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (v. 5) This verse has always struck me as somewhat funny. It’s what the apostles said after Jesus had told them to forgive their brother seven times if he repented seven times! Yeah, I can relate to the apostles. If someone keeps offending me and keeps telling me that s/he is sorry, do I really buy it? I’m one who wants to see a change in behavior!! When I was teaching I could “forgive” a student one or two times for missing an exam or being late on a homework, but beyond that I had little mercy. But I guess that’s a different situation.
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.” (v. 10) Yesterday I posted that God asks so little of us – only repentance and prayer/praise – that our works mean little to the Lord compared to repentance and prayer. Today’s verse 10 says the same thing. We should do what is expected of us with no expectation that we are anything special because of what we’ve done. But unfortunately my pride often gets in the way when I am doing the Lord’s work. All too often I want to be recognized for what I’ve done or (at a minimum) appreciated for what I do. It would be nice if I could be truly humble. Again, I’m airing my dirty laundry to the rest of you. But I feel that we are brothers and sisters in the Lord and that I can feel safe in so doing. And we hear time and again that confession is good for the soul.
See also: August 1 / Luke 17:1-10; August 2 / Luke 17:11-19
I, for one, appreciate the many things you do at St. Andrew’s, Fred, including RTB. But I don’t tell you all the time just to keep you humble. 🙂
Fred, you are not alone in sometimes feeling that need to be recognized. Mea culpa, too!
I had never realized that the 10th leper was a Samaritan. Wow, that puts a very different picture on the story. Your point two years ago that he was no longer 1 of the band of 10 lepers, but now the outsider again. I also wonder about the 9, did they later realize that Jesus is Messiah? They followed His instructions, but did they ever “come back”? I hope so! That hope is our hope too.
Regarding “the 9” who did not return, we actually do not know the extent to which they followed Jesus’ instructions. Yes, they went away, presumably toward the priests in the Temple, but we are not told whether they followed through and actually showed themselves to the priests. My own guess, based on observation of human nature (but nevertheless pure speculation) is that they did not. I expect they simply found themselves cleansed, gave each other high fives, and soon forgot all about God’s role in their healing. I say that because that is precisely the path I see followed all the time, particularly by myself.
Faithful (but unworthy) servants vs. unfaithful servants
I agree that faithful servants are “unworthy” of any extra appreciation or extra reward just for faithfully carrying out their assigned duties. But, as the parable points out, the unworthy servant does get dinner after serving his Master, and he also is part of a pretty fantastic household.
In comparison, see Luke 16:1-14, which describes an unfaithful and dishonest servant. He is dismissed from the household and must rely simply on his own connections deceitfully obtained by giving away his Master’s property. Not much hope there.
Somewhere between those two parables are the “somewhat unfaithful but not dishonest” servants. Servants who perhaps know what the Master wants them to do, but sometimes for various reasons either delay or don’t get around to it (with lots of good excuses like: too hard, I’ve already made other plans, tried that once and was rebuffed, afraid that someone might think I was weird, etc., etc., etc.). I have been in this group. I rely on the Master’s mercy.
I also agree with John, that Fred and all the others who hear God’s call and show up, are appreciated and respected for doing God’s will. Good for you guys.