Luke 17:7-8

Luke 17:7-10 

English Standard Version 

  Here, I believe Jesus is trying to ensure we don't develop a sense of entitlement, where we start thinking that God is the vending machine in the sky, where we deposit an act of faithfulness and get a reward.  The expectation is that we ought to be faithful in response to the grace that God showers upon us.  We have not earned it, and yet salvation and hope are given to us.  

  So we're encouraged to live and interact with humility.  All that we have is gift, and we should live with that in mind.  Our Christian duty is a response to God's initiating love.  We love and serve because we have been loved and served.

Luke 17:5–6

Luke 17:5-6

English Standard Version 

  This reminds me a little of the idea that we'd be more generous once we have more money, or that we'll do something differently once we have more time.  It's easy to imagine how things might be different once we have more of something... but the reality is that we often don't change like that.  We like to imagine that we'd live differently if we had more faith, or stronger faith, which is what the apostles said to Jesus.  They hear about so many amazing things, but they don't think they have enough faith.

  Jesus tells them that it isn't about the size of their faith, but rather about who they are placing their faith in.

  The reality of our lives is that we often place our faith in ourselves, and we think of relying on God as a backup plan.

  Jesus wants us to flip those things, and to rely on God completely.  God is strong enough and faithful enough to support us.  Start your day, Jesus encourages us, by casting ourselves upon Christ, and depending completely upon God.  Place our faith in God first, who cares for us, and we'll discover that our faith is strong enough as long as it is in God.

Luke 17:1–4

Luke 17:1-4 

English Standard Version 

  What does it mean to forgive someone?  Let's say I let you borrow my car, and it comes back with french fries spilled everywhere, two unpaid parking tickets shoved into the glovebox, and three new dents.  I would be somewhat unhappy with this development.  Would I lend you my car again?  Absolutely not. Would I expect you to provide financial compensation for the damages incurred?  Absolutely.  Could I approach you without a desire for vengeance in my heart, with grace in our conversation and a willingness not to allow my anger to define our relationship?  I would hope so.  This is the important part.  Forgiveness doesn't mean there cannot be repercussions for actions.  Forgiveness means that we do not keep score, that grace defines the relationship, that we seek what is best for the other, rather than allowing our desire for punishment to be the most important thing.  

  Jesus was open and honest about the reality that we will fail.  We will sin, and others will sin, and we'll be frustrated and upset.  That can pass.  What matters is that we're striving to help one another grow and that we're practicing extending the same grace we receive from Christ to one another.

Roller Coasters and the Gospel