The Parable of the Master and the Servant Luke 17:7-10
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When you first begin to read today’s parable, you can see by the text that Jesus is in the middle of a conversation.
He had been teaching the disciples about their duties as leaders and teachers of the Gospel.
The disciples had just asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus simply told them if they had the faith of the smallest seed, they could move spiritual mountains. (Luke 17:5 – 6).
It is vital that we view verse 6 with accuracy. Jesus could move any physical mountain with just a thought. But He didn’t diminish the lesson with a grand display of power without purpose.
Jesus gave them a picture of what it would look like if a servant expected to be served first by the Master.
“Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’?
Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’?
Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Luke 17:7-10
Everything Jesus did was intentional. In this moment, He was teaching these disciples about their duty as spiritual leaders of other believers.
Jesus wanted these men to understand that their ministry was one of humility and faith because no matter how extraordinary their call was, they were still simply God’s servants.
They were to teach other believers about their problem of sin and their need for believing faith. They were also to teach them to utilize their own God-given ministry.
God’s people should never seek accolades for the ministry they provide to others. Jesus emphasized that every disciple with authority would know, their real reward was the grace they had found by faith in God.
Pastors and church leaders today apply this parable to their own ministries when their heart is right. These godly servants look for ways to serve with humility and truth.
Pastors not only nurture and guard their own flock, but they reach out to their communities in practical ways. This enables the radiant light of Jesus to shine in the darkest places.
Even if you don’t have a role of leadership in the Church, you are called to be a minister, too. Homemakers, doctors, soldiers, teachers, even the most impoverished believer has a spiritual gift. We are required, as born-again believers, to make the most of that gift. We are to share the Great Commission of Jesus in our world.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
When you truly love Him, you will embrace the ministry that God has placed in your heart, and glorify Him with it.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New International Version (NIV)
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