Image: "Markers Along the Way", 2020, Severna Park, Md
Luke 17:1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
Luke 17:17–19 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:32–33 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
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One of the encouragements I glean from the Gospels and Luke's Gospel, in particular, is just how real and down-to-earth is the story.
The disciples had been with Jesus for a good little time at this point. They had seen much. They had confessed Him as the Christ. They had heard His teachings and walked in wonder alongside or behind Him. They had been sent out to proclaim the Kingdom and given authority and power over demons and diseases. At this point, you might think they would be brimming over with confidence and insights concerning their Lord.
But what do we hear them saying? Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
Why would they ask this? There is no doubt that Jesus' recent teachings were challenging. "Offenses are on their way!" He solemnly intones, "But, Woe to him through whom they come!" "Offenses?" That sounds pretty serious. And Jesus rounds it out by saying that if a "brother", not an enemy, but a "brother" sins against you - rebuke him and if he repents forgive him... even if it is seven times a day.
It's no wonder the disciples thought: "I need more faith!"
Think of service to Jesus in terms of walking a footpath. Along the way, there will be markers, put there by the King Himself. Each of these will represent a stage of spiritual growth and, inevitably, challenges either small or great. The disciples, even as do we, would have to learn what it means to forgive... really forgive an offense... and not only that, to do it regularly. This is so much a part of the Christian life that it is amazing how few Christians actually recognize that milestone when they come on it. Being self-absorbed, thinking only of their injured pride, they pass right on by. It is a great sadness, I think, to our Lord when this happens.
And, on the other hand, there is the very human desire for "pats on the back." As we walk along, there is a milestone in the form of a ministry opportunity. Perhaps, like the Good Samaritan, it is an opportunity to help an unfortunate person. Perhaps it is some duty in the Church that no-one else wants to do. Perhaps there is some self-sacrifice required where we may have to give up some resource, or time, or opportunity, in order to do something for the Kingdom.
As we pass this milestone, the challenge is obvious. What do we want to get out of it when we do what God has put before us to do? All too often we feel incomplete if we don't get some feedback. Perhaps the person we helped proves ungrateful... or the duty we did for the Church is not mentioned when the Pastor expresses thanks for stuff other people did... or our self-sacrifice is not noticed and we grumpily think: "Well, no one cares what I do!"
Here then is the challenge: Luke 17:10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ” We are servants of the Most-High God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Our reward is to please Him, period. What an honor and privilege it is to know that He has enabled us to be faithful, whether in small things or large. What could we possibly want in this life more than to have some assurance that one day, He will say "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy set before you."
These kinds of milestones are the warp-and-woof of everyday Christian experience. If we don't notice them then it's because we have not been sufficiently awakened to them. We should pray as did the apostles: "increase our faith", only be assured that in doing so, Jesus will make the milestones for service much more clear. Our faith grows through service... that's what we have to get through our skulls.
Another milestone that we will encounter is the call to gratitude. Jesus healed ten lepers. Only one of them returned to give thanks. Every day we pass a marker that should call our attention to some blessing in our lives. What do we do? Do we consider such blessings as only our "due?" This is turning the parable of the servant/master on its head. Our lives are full of God's gifts, even when we are facing dire straits. We are blessed because we have Christ with us, no matter what, and it is often that "dire straits" generate the most reason for thanksgiving and gratitude.
We are all walking the same pathway that the disciples walked. I find it encouraging that their stories align so well with ours. It makes all the teachings of Jesus that much more personal.
What milestone did you encounter today?
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