Parables #22 Master And Servant
Parable #22 — Luke 17:7-10 Master and Servant
Jesus often used the master-servant relationship in His parables to teach His disciples important principles concerning their service to God..here are a few.
a. Illustrating the importance of forgiveness in “The Unmerciful Servant” the parable we’ll be doing after this Matthew 18:21-35
b. Condemning the mercenary spirit (of personal gain)of service in “The Laborers In The Vineyard” – Matthew 20:1-16
c. Stressing the need for faithful and fruitful service in “The Talents” – Matthew 25:14-30
As I said we will study those later
In this parableJesusonce again uses the master and service theme or principle, in which He demonstrates an important attitude to be found in His disciplesOur parable this morning is #22 — Luke 17:7-10 The parable of Master and Servant
As we study this parable, it might be well to ask ourselves: “What should my attitude be as a servant of God and how do I honor and serve Him?” With thatquestion in mind, let’s first read the parable itselfLuke 17:7-10
7 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? 8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ 9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. 10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”Many Bibles translate the Greek word doulosas “servant,” but the word used in this passage describes a slave, the slave in the parable was probably the only slave of a small farmer, a slave who not only works in the field, but also performs household chores.To the Jews in the First Century, slavery was a fact of life. The average person didn’t own slaves, but many villages would have one or more wealthy person who owned slaves.
While the Greeks considered a slave to be a subordinate,
Hebrew history in Egypt taught Jews to show respect to their slavesAnd Romans, might free somebody from slavery and make him a citizen. In those days, to work as a slave for an owner did not mean that you were uneducated and therefore only did unskilled and degrading work when performing your duties.Some slaves were tutors, physicians, companions, household managers, sales agents, and administrators.
But the slave Jesus describes in this brief parable, was probably the only slave in this household, and did mostly hard labor—plowing, looking after livestock, as well as cooking and household chores. His duties were pretty hard maybe unfair and physical as well .Not a job one would normally concider to make a living to say the least.
2. The point here is that, fair or not, a slave was expected to work in the fields and fix the food. That was his duty.
People generally entered into slavery in five ways: (1) Born as a slave through one’s parents, (2) Purchased as a slave, (3) Failure to pay a debt,(4) As prisoners of war, and (5) Self-sale. One would sell yourself as a slaveThough it might seem strange to us, a number of people would sell themselves into slavery, mainly“to enter a life that was easier and more secure than existence as a poor, freeborn person.”Slaves sometimes received an education at their owner’s expense, and, if they sold themselves to a Roman citizen, when they were freed from slavery they might expect to become Roman citizens themselves as was the rule in Rome.
Today in our time there are contractor who would on occasion demand that their crews work into the wee hours of the morning on project.To completewhatever they are doing for a client.That’s part of the job; it comes with the territory. And though the workers don’t especially like it, they do it because it is what the job require.
Nowadays People may even have two or three jobs to make ends meet. Is it fair? –No but it is your duty becauseit’s required by the responsibilities you have.
3. Here’s an example. As recently as the 60’s, we had the Boy Scoutyou may remember the had a Pledge that read, “On my honor, I will try to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people at all times, and to obey the Boy Scout law.” But times have changed, and the words “duty” and “obey” have been changed. Now Boy Scouts recite, “On my honor, I will try: to serve God* and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Boy Scout Law.”
The meaning hasn’t changed that much, but it is softer. Even today The Police force has become the Police service , Servants are now called Domestic workers,Civil Servants are now Government Employees, The Prisons department became the Department of Correctional Services.
When we drop the ideas of “duty” and “obedience” from our relationship with God, we miss one of the essential components of true discipleship.
To be real disciples we must be obedient to God’s word and do our duty as followers of Jesus in a fallen world.
* The Boy Scouts also add that, “it is okay to replace the word ‘God’ with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate.”
4. Today we say. Don’t load this poor servant down with your 20 century baggage. That wasn’t the way the servant of the 1 century was thinking. He understood that he was doing his duty. That’s all.
He didn’t think that he deserved a reward for doing it, and he knew that he would bepunished for neglecting or dodging his duty. To be true disciples we must not have attitude of “entitlement” we should instead see ourselves as “unworthy slaves, that is why Jesus used that example in his parable.
We can therefore interpretthe parable like this;God does not owe us anything because of what we do for Him.
Lets recapwhat we have noticed from the parable this far:
1. The original Greek word for the man working for his master is doulos. It means – Slave
2. Was it unfair of the master to expect that his servant would prepare his meal after laboring in the fields all day? – No that was his duty
3. Has society shifted on obeying authority and doing ones duty? – Yes. —Has God? – No
4. Should the master be expected to thank his servant for doing what he was told (or ordered or commanded) to do, for doing his duty? – No
Should we expect thanks from God for obeying him and doing what he tells us to do? – NoDoes our goodnessor devoutness earn us some special treatment? – No
Now let’s just look at this parable in more detail
FirstlyThe parable itself
a. The context…
It may appear that this parable is disconnected to what Jesus were telling His disciples in the preceding verses where He described the power of faith in Luke 17:5-6, and after hearing that it would beeasy for the disciples to fall into a snare of pride and that is why He tells this parable to help keep things in proper perspective. Always read the preceding verses to determine the context of Scripture
A. The details…
1. Jesus challenges His apostles to consider how they would act
toward a servant as was the custom at the time
a. As master, you would not be expected to invite your servant to sit down and eat with you – Luke 17:77 “When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? b. As master, he would expect the servant to prepare his meal and serve him, eating only after he is done – Luke 17:8
8 No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’
c. As master, none of them would likely thank the servant for
doing what has been commanded of him – Luke 17:9
9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not.
2. So they are to view themselves in regards to what they do as
servants…
Firstly servants would, when they have done that which they were commanded to do, still view themselves as “unprofitable” servants – Luke 17:10a
We are unworthy servants
b. That is, they have simply done their duty as servants,
and have done nothing worthy of merit – Luke 17:10bwe have simply done our duty.
C. The meaning…
1. We must be careful at this point not to conclude that the parable presents the proper attitude of the “master”
a. Jesus is only depicting the normal expectation of a master to make His point
. In Luke 12:35-37, Jesus describes what He Himself will do as
Master unlike the master in the parable
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seatthem, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!
2. This parable is illustrating the proper attitude of the “servant”
a. When all that is commanded is done, we have not earned or merited anything
b. We have simply done that which is our duty as servants
c. Whatever reward we might receive is due to grace, not
merit!
This parable is therefore illustrating the attitude we should have
toward our own service to God.
Since we were “bought at a price” 1Corinthians6:2020 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.We are truly servants and should have the proper attitude of
servitude. With this explanation, here are some thoughts related to the parable
The parable applied
A.It removes any idea of earning our salvation…
1. Keeping God’s commandments are important ,but they do not merit or earn our salvation . Titus 3:4-54 But—When God our Saviour revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.( Greek He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. )
Ephesians 2:4-94 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
2. After everything we do, we are still “unprofitable servants” Isaiah 64:636 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.Whatever reward we receive is one of grace, not merit!
B.It stresses the need for obedience…
1. While we cannot earn or merit our reward, obedience is still essential!
a. “We have done that which was our duty to do.”
Luke 17:1010 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”b. “…keeping the commandments of God is what matters.” – 1Co 7:19b…..The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.c.
1John 2:4
4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.
2. Many people tend to equate obedience with legalism…
a. Especially when it is pointed out that they are not keeping a particular commandb. But legalism involves the idea that one earns or merits salvation by their obedience
c. If we believe that obedience earns our salvation, then we
trulyare legalists
d. But if we obey God out of love and duty, we are simply being faithful servants!
Merit vs. Grace
The New Testament is quite clear about the difference between merit and grace. Perhaps the classic statement of this is by Paul the Apostle:Romans 4:4-5“Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.”Ephesians 2:8-10“8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.The blessings of God are ours because of our adoption as “sons and daughters,” but that adoption itself is by grace. God doesn’t owe us anything — he gives it freely. Rather we owe him an unpayable debt.
Conclusion
1. This parable reminds us of the need for obedience, as do the following passages:
a. Only those who do the Father’s will enter the kingdom of heaven Matthew 7:2121 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
b. We must observe all that Christ commanded –
Matthew 28:20
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
c. Christ is the author of salvation to all who obey Him – Hebrews 5:9
9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.
d. When He comes again, those who did not obey His gospel will be punished with everlasting destruction –
2Thesselonians 1:7-9
7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.
1Peter 4:17
17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?
2. But this parable’s primary lesson is to remind us that no matter how much we do for the Lord…
a. We are still “unprofitable servants”
b. Whatever we have done was our duty as servants to begin with
3. Therefore, whatever reward we receive will be one of grace and not merit; and what wonderful grace that will be, to hear the Lord say at the end of time:
Matthew 25:21
21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!
(Greek Enter into the joy of your master [or your Lord])
Are you a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, doing what He expects from you as your duty?
This parable teaches that when somebody “has done what God expects them to do, he or she is only doing his or her duty.”Therefore, being rewarded means doing more than expected.
But most of all this parable suggests that “even the best of God’s servants are still unworthy because they have only done their duty .“And that obody,“no matter how virtuous or hardworking, can ever put God in our debt.”We can relate this parable to the last verse of Isaac Watts’ hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross“:
Were the whole realm of Nature mine,That were an offering far too small;Love so amazing, so divine,Demands my soul, my life, my all.
In the parable of the unprofitable servant, the Savior taught His disciples and us today about faith and faithfulness.
He taught about honor and grace.
May we be courageous, doing more than would be minimally expected?May we gratefully acknowledge that only His grace is sufficient to make us perfect in Him.
A disciple, like a slave, must recognize one’s proper place in relationship to the King and serve out of loyalty to the relationship and not out of expectation for the reward.
A relationship with Jesus Christ is the result of a relationship based on the grace of the Master and not on the worth of the servant.
When we read further in Luke 17, the event that follows this parable is an account of the healing of ten lepers. It is not a coincident that it follows this teaching. Jesus’ miracles always illustrate what he has just taught or is about to teach. Maybe when we read the miracle that follows it will take on new significance.Jesus has just taught that obedience comes from the gratitude of an unworthy person. Now we see ten lepers healed and only one return to say thank you. Why?Can you see how wonderful Jesus structured his teaching; we should always read a bit further on when we study something from scripture.
The Principles
Gratitude for the grace of God should outweigh all other motivations.
If someone gave you R10,000 as a gift because you were in a bind financially, and he saved you from foreclosure or great loss, what would your attitude towards that person be?
If he asked you to do him a favor, a month or so later, would you feel inconvenienced? or would you be glad to do it?
I suspect if something that tangible happened, you would really express your gratitude, etc.
Why aren’t we awestruck with God’s gift to us?He gave us Himself, He died on the cross for us , What a price. He gave up everything .because He loves us
John 3:16
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Faith ought to be demonstrated by obedience. If I believe God, I’ll do what He wants me to do.
Don’t expect extra reward for expected service.
The issue is my attitude.
When I serve, is my motivation rewards? or gratitude?
If it is primarily rewards, I am a mercenary.(A person who works only for personal gain)
My submission to Christ should reflect His absolute Lordship over my life.
True servant hood demands that I put the interests of Jesus Christ before my own.
The time and skills of the servant should be at the disposal of the Master.
Even rewards are a demonstration of God’s graciousness by providing us with the resources, authority, or opportunitiesenabling usto do something for Him as His Servants