Luke 17:7-10 (NRSV)
Read Luke 17:7-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7"Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here at once and take your place at the table'? Verse 8Would you not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? Verse 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? Verse 10So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'"
Devotion
Jesus' words bother me: No good boss would ask an employee to work all day then come in and serve dinner. I hope no employee would call herself "worthless" after finishing her work. Was life in Jesus' day really so different than ours?
Maybe in these words Jesus provokes his disciples/friends to live as he does—easing the way for the young in faith and forgiving others all day long (17:1-4). Maybe Jesus wants us to know that his way is long and hard, a 24/7 job to be accomplished without fanfare or reward.
What keeps you going on Jesus' way? Why would you commend it to a friend?
Prayer
Jesus, like yours, our days grow long and hard. Help us to base our value in your love and not in our visible accomplishments. And please, give us hope and faith at the end of the day. Amen.