A Servant's Work Is Never Done

Introduction

This is the longest series that Dwight and I have ever preached in the 11 years that we have been team preaching. Luke is a long writing and requires much time in order to do just to its content. However, the downside of a long series is that at times it appears as if we are just taking snippets and that what was said before and what is said afterwards do not relate to each other. Luke is a master at weaving his ideas. Let’s do a quick review of some of Luke just so we can see and gain an appreciation for what he is trying to accomplish.

Let’s go back to chapter 1. Luke says in 1:1-4 that what he wants to do is to write a history of the life of Jesus which will confirm the reader’s faith. And so he begins by setting the stage for the arrival of Jesus by describing John the Baptizer’s entrance into this world and then moves quickly into the announcement about Jesus’s birth. From the beginning Elizabeth knew that Mary was going to give birth to the Son of God, shepherds knew, Simeon in the temple knew, Anna also in the temple knew, John the Baptizer knew, and Satan knew. Within the first four chapters, Luke has woven the thread of thought that Jesus’s coming into this world was planned, appreciated, and understood by spiritual people. Jesus then confirms his identity in Luke 4:18-19 and in confirming his identity sets the stage for how Luke will reveal the work of Jesus.

Jesus is going to preach to the poor, proclaim freedom for those who are imprisoned, proclaim sight for the blind, release for the oppressed and that the Lord has smiled with favor on this world. And from 4:20 to 9:51, Luke records for us the fulfillment of the promises of Jesus as spoken through Isaiah the prophet. We read in this section about miracles and teachings and about others coming to recognize that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.

Then in 9:51, Luke shifts into a section which those who are reading are going to be called to go with Jesus to Jerusalem. This travel narrative as it is often called describes Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem where he will be killed, buried, and resurrected. Everything rapidly moves to Jerusalem. And on the way, Jesus will encounter a number of individuals who must decide if they will be a disciple. From 9:51 onwards, individuals are called to become disciples and there are times in which Jesus tells those going with him to Jerusalem what it is required as a disciple. This long section ends at 19:44. All through this section we are told that being a disciple is not easy; it is demanding; it takes conviction; it takes endurance; it takes seeing life through God’s eyes; it takes thinking about life differently; it takes looking at things beyond this world to the world to come.

Look back at chapter 13. Jesus calls on all who want to follow him to repent. Opposition comes because some don’t see the work of God the same way as Jesus does. And so in 13:18, Jesus teaches about the faith of a mustard seed and how important it is to become part of the kingdom. He tells those who follow in chapter 14 that they need to look at the kingdom differently and then invites all who will to become his disciple. Chapter 15 he talks about how much heaven rejoices when one repents. In chapter 16 he talks about preparing for the future by learning to despise what God despises and by learning to be generous towards others. It is in that context that we now turn to chapter 17.

Four Traits of Kingdom People

The opposition to Jesus’s teaching has been going on throughout this section, but back in 13:14 the opposition is clearly defined as religious leaders. While most of what occurs from chapter 13 forward is Jesus speaking and teaching, he does so setting up a contrast between those who will be his disciples and those who listen to the teaching of the religious leaders of his day. God expects his people to be different from others. And as Luke weaves this thought, he demonstrates the authority of Jesus to call for change as he performs miracles, teaches like no other, and exemplifies his commitment at the cross. So when we come to chapter 17 and the first ten verses, we read of four traits kingdom people are going to have.

First, kingdom people will not cause another to sin. Sinning is part of this life. Jesus says they are bound to come or we could say sin is inevitable. Jesus isn’t discussing the nature of sin in this section. What he does say is that kingdom people avoid anything which might cause another to lose or lessen their faith in Jesus. Jesus is what is important. Jesus is so intent on this point that he offers a better solution. It would be better for one to be drowned than to cause someone to miss Jesus. The phrase “things that cause people to sin” comes from a single Greek word which means “to set a trap” or a “scandal.” Jesus says kingdom people will do nothing to set a trap for another or to be the cause of another losing their focus on Jesus. We are not told how one can become a scandal for another but it would certainly include things like: offending someone by ridicule, lying or cheating someone, teaching heresy, or tooting one’s own horn. Kingdom people avoid causing others to lose sight of Jesus.

Second, kingdom people are quick to forgive when one repents. Kingdom people are quick to accept the sincere apology of another. This attitude is to be repeated time and again. The offended brother has the responsibility of telling another what the offense is and when genuine repentance is offered, then a disciple is quick to forgive. Verse 4 should be seen as an exaggeration. A brother would refrain from sinning against another over and over again, however, the attitude of the one offended is the focus. Kingdom people are quick to forgive when repentance is seen. This saying does not deal with the question of what a believer is to do when a brother doesn’t repent. It is assumed that the brother will repent and forgiveness is the response of a disciple.

Third, kingdom people increase faith. When the apostles ask for greater faith, it may well be in response to the first two things Jesus has said. What they ask for is that Jesus will increase their faith. Jesus’s response is to highlight the quality of faith not the quantity of faith. Even with a little bit of faith great things can be done. It isn’t necessary to have great faith. What is necessary is to have faith which is clearly focused on Jesus. The mulberry tree was a stout tree with a deep penetrating root system. It would have taken a lot to uproot this tree and then to replant it in the sea. This is an exaggeration to make a point. A little bit of faith can do great things.

Finally, kingdom people recognize their position in relationship with God. When Jesus told this parable, it would have probably brought a few smiles to the faces of those listening. It is humorous. A servant coming in from the field to find his master telling him to prop up his feet while he fixes the meal is laughable. When all is said and done all we are servants. We have no claim to fame. We have nothing to boast about. We don’t need or have any reason to talk about the great things we have done for God. We are servants. Servanthood happens in the background. The only thing that matters for the disciple is that cause is advanced. In this collection of expectations about what it means to be a disciple, Jesus is straight forward.

Disciples do not cause another to lose focus on Jesus. Disciples are quick to forgive when asked. Disciples’ faith is focused on Jesus. Disciples recognize that they are only servants with nothing to boast about.

Being a disciple is hard work. It takes concentration and discipline to maintain our focus. Luke masterfully weaves this theme through his writing—Jesus is going to Jerusalem and those who want to go with him must be prepared to make sure that the cause is advanced. Let’s be kingdom people.

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