Luke 17, Part One

Forgiving a brother (vs. 1-4)--Sin will be with us until the Lord comes back: "it is impossible that no offenses should come" (v. 1). If we lead others astray, woe be to us. We need to help one another on the heavenly journey. If our brother sins against us, we should "rebuke him." "Rebuke" is a harsh word, but hell is a harsh location, and saving a soul from eternal damnation is far more important than our passing feelings. Do what it takes to save the one who sins. Of course, all our actions should be done in love, with genuine concern for those who trespass.

But notice, Jesus says "if he repents, forgive him." We must always have a desire and heart to forgive, but if someone does not repent, we cannot forgive; we cannot be more magnanimous than God, and He bases His forgiveness upon our humble, contrite repentance (Acts 2:38; 17:30). But as often as our brother sins and repents, so often we should forgive (v. 4). That is exactly what God does.

"Increase our faith" (vs. 5-10)--The apostles have a desire here that all of us should have--more faith in God. Faith comes from hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Jesus doesn't explain that here, He simply gives encouragement to have that greater faith. Even a small amount of faith can do wondrous things (v. 6). But it is a faith that must serve God, and not expect Him to serve us. The master of a manor does not wait on his servant when the latter comes in from the field; no, that master demands that he be served first. He certainly provides for his workers: "afterward [after the master has been served] you will eat and drink" (v. 8). Nor does the master thank his servant for his service; such is what the servant is supposed to do (v. 9). Thus, "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'" (v. 10). Even after we have done all that the Lord commands us to do, we still fall far short of His holy and divine standard. Ask Him to thank us for what we do? How presumptuous can one get. Serve Him faithfully and appreciate what He gives and does for us.

"Where are the nine?" (vs. 11-19)--Speaking of ingratitude, here we have a marvelous example of it, and indeed, an illustration of the parable Jesus has just spoken. Ten lepers spot Him as He was on His journey to Jerusalem (vs. 11-12). They ask for mercy, i.e., that He might heal them of their dreaded disease (v. 13). The Lord commands, as the book of Leviticus describes (Lev. 13 and 14), that they go and let the priests examine them (v 14). On their way to Jerusalem, they were healed. One of them, a Samaritan, made the trek back to Christ and thanked Him (v. 16). Jesus expresses some amazement, and perhaps chagrin, that the other nine didn't have enough gratitude to express such to Him. Perhaps they didn't want to be bothered with the several mile journey back to Him, or perhaps, being Jews, they expected God to do these things for them. Regardless, Jesus told the one who returned, "your faith has made you well" (v. 19). This is an illustration of the power of faith, the thought of which Jesus had spoken back up in verse 6.