-THE PEREAN MINISTRY

-Jesus Teaches the Disciples Regarding Offenses, Faith and Service

-Luke 17:1-10

-For verses 1-4, see our discussion on pages 67-68 regarding Matthew 18:6-9 and the topic of

 offenses and our discussion on pages 70-71 regarding Matthew 18:21-22 and the topic of

 forgiveness.

            -“But the passage differs from that in Matthew in that the repentance of the sinner is required

             as a condition precedent to forgiveness” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 517).

-In verse 5, we find the apostles making a noble request - “Increase our faith.”

            -We should all desire and pursue a growing faith.

            -“The apostles’ reaction to the command of Jesus for what amounts to unlimited forgiveness

             appeared to them such a monstrous task that they supposed they needed a special measure of

             faith to be able to comply with it.  The teaching here is that the faith they had was more than

             enough to enable it, provided only that they got on with the doing of it” (Coffman, 1975, pg

             370).

                        -“The sycamine is the well-known black mulberry-tree, which belongs to the same

                         natural order as the fig-tree, and is a tree distinguished for being deeply rooted”

                         (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 518).

-In verses 7-10, Jesus presents a parable regarding service.

            -A servant is not given special recognition for doing that which was his duty to do.  A servant

             is expected to do his duty.

            -As we continue to grow in our faith, we need to be very careful not to place a chip on our

             shoulder - a “look how good I’m doing” attitude.  Remember that we are to be servants to

             God (Rom 6:22).  As servants, we are expected to do our duty.  (see Eccl 12:13)

                        -We will never fully fulfill our duties because we each fall short.

                        -“We may be rewarded for the discharge of our duty, but the reward is of grace and not of

                         merit” (ibid.)

            -We should never develop an attitude that “God owes us.”  We will always be indebted to

             God for the many ways He exhibits His love to us, cares and provides for us and for the

             spiritual blessings He offers to us in Christ.

                        -May our attitude always be, “We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which

                         was our duty to do.”