This chapter contains a few topics including Jesus cleansing ten lepers, commentary on the coming kingdom, and a talk about faith / temptation.
” ‘Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, “Come at once and recline at table”? Will he not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me… and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink”? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” ‘ ” (v7-10)
This is a humbling passage for me. It’s fairly common to have an attitude of entitlement – “I earned…”, “I deserve…”, “I’m entitled to…”. I think this notion comes from our sense of ‘wages’ – we invest effort, we deserve something in return. When we serve / obey God, we can have this same attitude of expecting something in return.
The truth is, God doesn’t owe us anything, ever. Our entire being and all of creation is a gift from Him (which we squandered and ruined). Our salvation through Jesus is a free gift that we cannot earn and certainly don’t deserve. Our obedience, service, and prayers to Him are intended to be a grateful response for all He has done.
He isn’t a ‘divine vending machine’ where we insert ‘obedience currency’ and expect ‘instant blessings’ in return for our investment. God wants us to be in relationship with Him, not treat Him like a street vendor with whom we can barter an object we control.
I suggest we perform an attitude check (the Holy Spirit will help if we ask) and ensure that our service / obedience / prayers to God are a loving response for who He is, and all He has already done, as well as out of love for our neighbors (not just ourselves).
Father God, our Glorious Lord and Benevolent Provider, You have already blessed us far beyond anything we could hope or request. Your salvation from our ‘deserved wages of death’ is more than sufficient blessing to warrant our obedience and service. May we pray, serve, and obey with humble hearts and gratefulness, being content with all that You have already provided, lacking expectation of future blessing. May we be slaves to Christ, rather than expect You to be our slave. In the name of Jesus our Savior King we humbly honor and praise You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training