Luke 17:7-10
‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’
BLOG DISCUSSION QUESTION: How does this parable make you feel?
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6 comments:
As servents of God we are required to do our Godly duties. You do what you are suppose to do.We dont exspect special honor. Pride is a sin that God hates.God give grace to the humble.Accept Gods athority,His word, His truth, dont pat yourself on the back. We are unworthy slaves.
The question is who among you.. well probably not one of us. I think this parable has to do with what Jesus has to do this week. He has to do all the work to make up for our sinful selves. Do we thank him? When we remember. Do we keep asking for more and more, and wonder why we don't have more? It makes me feel bad.
How does this parable make me feel? It does not have a very cheerful tone. Fortunately our culture is not very accustomed to ill treatment of slaves. KD is correct in our unworthINESS, but Jesus did not die for the worthLESS.
So, " Who would say to a slave who has come in from the field or tending livestock, "Come here at once and take your place at the table"? Jesus does! to you and me. The feast was celebrated yesterday at His table at WC. Don't thank the slave.."Thank the Lord and sing His praise. Tell everyone what he has done!"
That is something to be joyful about.
This parable can make you feel worthless or unappreciated. Having said that, it seems that we must realize that a slave never rises above the master. Meaning that a slave has a job to do and no matter how well or how much extra he does, the master will never be in debt to the slave. The slaves job is to please the master, not the master should please the slave.
And so, the master, God, loves us so much that nothing we can ever do will repay that love that God has shown us. Does this make sense?
Oops, I forgot, KD, great comments
How does this parable make me feel? Well, it reminds me that I am a slave, which is not a really great feeling. And, of course, as a slave (as gabriel and KD have said) thanks for a day's work should not be expected...nor should a seat at the master's table...nor a place in the master's house. No matter how hard I work or how great of a job I have done.
So, might this reminder of my position as a slave be something that would turn me away from God...to run away from God....be free? Who needs a god to whom you are enslaved?
Martin Luther reminds us in a document called "The Bondage of the Will" that all are slaves, slaves to something. So, the most important thing is what kind of master we have.
As RJQ says, we have the kind of master who gives us what we could never earn or deserve...a place at his table, a word of thanks (well done, good and faithful servant), and a place in his home....and even greater yet...one to whom he gives his name.
It might be humbling to be reminded of who we are...but it is exhilarating to find out how God treats us....it's only grace!
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