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| GAZEBO - CONSTRUCTION November 14, 2021 |
"So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
LUKE 17:10
Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? (Job 22:2,3) Those who trust in Him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with Him in love: Because grace and mercy are with His holy ones, and His care is with the elect. (Wisdom 2:23–3:9)
The phrase “unprofitable servants” does not mean that our service is of no value. Rather, it means that we gain no “bonus points” or merit from our service. We are simply doing what we are supposed to do as servants of God. (Microsoft Bing)
Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” (Luke 17:7-10)
In this parable, Jesus compared the relationship between a master and his servants to the relationship between God and His people. He taught that we should not expect any reward or praise from God for doing what He commands us, because we are only doing our duty. We cannot earn anything from God by our service, because we owe Him everything. We are unprofitable servants, meaning that we have no merit or profit of our own to offer to God. The only way we can be accepted by God is by His grace and mercy, not by our works. (Microsoft Bing)
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given thee. (1Chronicles 29:14-16) If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? (Job 35:6,7)
God formed man to be imperishable; the image of His own nature he made them. But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it. (Wisdom 2:22-23) But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself. As gold in the furnace, He proved them, and as sacrificial offerings He took them to Himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. (Wisdom 3:1-8)
The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress He rescues them. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit He saves. (Psalm 34:16-19)
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (Psalm 34:2-3)
Pericope:
V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative
ATTITUDE OF A SERVANT
Luke 17:7-10
I: The Reward of Justice
THE WICKED REJECT IMMORTALITY AND JUSTICE ALIKE
Wisdom 2:1-24/3:1-9
First Book of Psalms 1-41
THANKSGIVING TO GOD WHO DELIVERS THE JUST
Psalm 34:1-23