Luke 17:1-10
Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for sin are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If a brother or sister sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing 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!’ ” Luke 17:1-10 (NRSVUE)
As an energetic high school student, a friend of mine and I taught Sunday school for a few years. Years later I had a former Sunday school student who thanked me for the words of encouragement I had shared with them years earlier while they were going through a tough time as they had a family member experiencing a severe medical condition. Their thanks and words changed me and shaped me. And yet, I don’t remember what I said to them during that tough time in their life. I wish I did, but I don’t.
We were made to do big things, even if it’s with “little” faith.
Mother Teresa said it this way, “There is no such thing as great things, only small things with great love.” The moments we don’t remember of caring for others or the words of thanks people give us have the power to do great things. Not because of who we are, but because of what we are rooted in.
We hear from today’s scripture text four instructive teachings of Jesus that are strung together to make a somewhat confusing narrative.
Jesus addresses his disciples. The first two of these teachings are on the topic of living together with other people.
- That our words and actions can have the power to shape others.
- That we must forgive. A lot. The necessity of forgiveness for a community of people to thrive can not be forgotten.
The second two instructions are in response to the disciples' reaction to Jesus’s first two. They ask for more faith!
- Jesus says, If you have faith (and you do), then live it out and do big things!
- We are reminded of the sense of duty and service that we are called to live out in our lives that mirrors the way of Jesus
And what do all these instructive teachings point to?
We were made to be in community with others.
We were made to forgive.
We were made to serve.
We were made for big things.
We were made to be people of faith.
A faith rooted and grounded in the way of Jesus.
Questions for Reflection:
- Out of the four instructive teachings we hear from Jesus in today’s scripture reading, which is most challenging to you?
- How have you been surprised by where God’s gift of faith
Prayer:
Dear God,
We give thanks for the gift of faith. Continued to call us into community, grant and teach us to forgive, send us out into the world to serve, and root us in your way- the way of faith. Be with us, today and always.
Amen.
Login To Leave Comment