Luke 17:5-10 (NRSV)
Read Luke 17:5-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 5The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" Verse 6The 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. Verse 7"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'? Verse 8Would 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'? Verse 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? Verse 10So 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!'"
Devotion
Imagine two of heaven’s citizens are sitting on a bench, enjoying the beauty of another day in paradise. Suddenly, on the opposite bench, a new arrival appears, looking astonished. “Is this where I think it is?” They answer, “Yes.” The new arrival laughs and says, “I never thought this was possible. I mean, long story short, I didn’t live the greatest or nicest life. But at the end, I simply asked for mercy, and here I am. Wow! Incredible! Now, please excuse me. I have some exploring to do.” When he was gone, one on the bench says to the other, “This will never stop bothering me! All my life, I had to be good, had to read the Bible, had to go to church, had to do this and that. And that guy—boom, he gets in just like that.” To which the other says, “You still don’t understand, do you? You didn’t have to. You got to.”
Prayer
Holy God, the title “worthless slave” may sometimes be an appropriate one for me to wear, reminding me that I have no claim on your grace. But Jesus has also called me his friend, and as such I am grateful for all I get to do in response to his grace in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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