Good afternoon. It's been an interesting 24ish hours here so I'm just now getting yesterday's post up. Last night we lost our internet and had a child with a stomach bug. I've learned that things won't always go as planned and that's okay. I'm hoping to get the post for chapter 18 also up today but we'll see. Here are some thoughts on chapter 17.
In this chapter Jesus continues teaching but instead of teaching through parables He teaches by sharing examples. The beginning of this chapter is focused on how we deal with others.
vs. 1 - Do not be the cause of temptation for others.
vs. 2 - Do not cause others to stumble
vs. 3 - When someone sins; rebuke them, if they repent; forgive them.
vs. 9 - Be faithful in your service. If you just do the bare minimum; your "duty" you are acting like an unworthy servant.
In verse 11 the focus shifts to how our attitude should be in service to God. As they are walking along ten lepers come to Jesus asking for Him to "have mercy on us" so Jesus sends them to the temple. As they head to the temple they are healed. Yet only one of the ten return to thank Jesus; to give Him the glory and honor. In this we are reminded to glorify and thank God for the blessings in our life. We are to recognize that all good things come from Him (see James 1:17). Jesus responds to this thankful leper by saying "your faith has made you well"; this leper recognized that his healing was from Jesus.
The chapter ends with Jesus giving warnings and instructions about the coming Kingdom of God. We are to be faithful servants. No one knows when Christ will return; just as with the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, people will just be living normally right up to the moment. In light of this truth we should be focused on living for Christ every moment.
We should be:
- Careful to not cause others to stumble. (see also Romans 14:13 & 1 Corinthians 8:9)
- Forgive those that sin against us when they repent. (see also Ephesians 4:32)
- Go beyond just our "duty" when serving others. ( see also Romans 12:10)
- Give thanks and glorify God for all our blessings. (see also James 1:17)
- Do not listen to those who would try to predict when Christ will return. (see also Matthew 24:36)
Titles for Jesus in this chapter:
Master - vs. 13
Son of Man - vs. 22, 24, 26, & 30
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