The Obedient Slave: Luke 17:7-10
““7) Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8) But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9) He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10) So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ”” Luke 17:7-10
At first glance this story sounds cruel and insensitive, but a closer look reveals crucial insight about our relationship with God. It exposes many false notions of modern Christianity.
First, in the story the slave did not have self will or independent will. The focus was not on the slave but on the Master.
Many today have an egocentric relationship with God. They are motivated by their own desires, will and agenda. This modern approach to Christan living is totally opposite of making Jesus Christ Lord and Master.
Second, in the story the Master did not exist to serve the slave, he was always subservient to the Master. At no point were the roles reversed. They were not on equal terms. Even after a long days work, the slave was servant to the Master. We must treat God with the same servitude and reverence.
We don’t punch a time clock in the Christian life and then go and do our own thing. Walking as a servant of God is a 24/7 relationship. We never stop serving.
Finally, the slave didn’t live for praise or self recognition. He served his master from pure motives because that was his position. His only job was to joyfully and thoroughly do the will of his master.
Good masters treated their slaves with kindness and dignity. There were ample stories of slaves who could have gone free who opted to stay and serve their masters for life.
Our God is a good Master. He treats His own with love, dignity and kindness. Yet we serve Him out of reverence and loyalty. It is a relationship of absolute obedience. We have so much to learn from this short story.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
““7) Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8) But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9) He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10) So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ”” Luke 17:7-10
At first glance this story sounds cruel and insensitive, but a closer look reveals crucial insight about our relationship with God. It exposes many false notions of modern Christianity.
First, in the story the slave did not have self will or independent will. The focus was not on the slave but on the Master.
Many today have an egocentric relationship with God. They are motivated by their own desires, will and agenda. This modern approach to Christan living is totally opposite of making Jesus Christ Lord and Master.
Second, in the story the Master did not exist to serve the slave, he was always subservient to the Master. At no point were the roles reversed. They were not on equal terms. Even after a long days work, the slave was servant to the Master. We must treat God with the same servitude and reverence.
We don’t punch a time clock in the Christian life and then go and do our own thing. Walking as a servant of God is a 24/7 relationship. We never stop serving.
Finally, the slave didn’t live for praise or self recognition. He served his master from pure motives because that was his position. His only job was to joyfully and thoroughly do the will of his master.
Good masters treated their slaves with kindness and dignity. There were ample stories of slaves who could have gone free who opted to stay and serve their masters for life.
Our God is a good Master. He treats His own with love, dignity and kindness. Yet we serve Him out of reverence and loyalty. It is a relationship of absolute obedience. We have so much to learn from this short story.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
