In the text of Luke 17:7-10, Jesus shares a parable with His disciples in order to teach them about the importance of humble service and obedience. It describes the relationship between a master and his servant, illustrating how the servant goes about his daily tasks without expecting praise or rewards. This passage invites us to reflect on our attitude toward Christian service and how we can express gratitude for all that God has done for us.
Jesus begins the parable by saying, “Which one of you, having a servant plowing or tending the flock, will say to him when he returns from the field, ‘Come quickly and go to the table’?” (Luke 17:7, NIV). In this analogy, we are represented by the servant and God is the Lord. The master does not invite the servant to sit at the table and be served, but, on the contrary, says: “Prepare my dinner, put on your work clothes and serve me while I eat; after that you will eat and drink” (Luke 17:8, NIV).
This passage reminds us that God’s call for us as His followers is not to seek our own interest or recognition, but to serve Him and others humbly and obediently. While we may think we deserve some kind of reward for our service, Jesus teaches us that true gratitude is in serving without expecting anything in return.
Jesus’ Service Attitude
To fully understand Jesus’ teaching on humble service, it is essential to look to Jesus’ own life as an example. On several occasions, Jesus demonstrated an attitude of service to his disciples and to humanity as a whole. He washed the disciples’ feet, a task that was normally performed by servants, and said to them, “Now if I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” ( John 13:14, KJV).
This display of humble and loving service shows us that the true leader is one who is willing to serve. Jesus not only set this example for us through his actions, but he also taught us that the greatest among us is the one who humbles himself and becomes the servant of all. He declared, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27, NIV).
The Attitude of Gratitude and Obedience
Returning to the parable of Luke 17, Jesus goes on to say , “Is he going to thank the servant because he did as he was told?” (Luke 17:9, NIV). Jesus’ rhetorical question highlights the expectation of obedience and service without expecting gratitude or reward. As God’s servants, we should not seek approval or praise for our efforts, but rather perform our duties with gratitude for being called to serve.
By recognizing that all we have and are comes from God, we develop an attitude of gratitude and humility. Every task we undertake in God’s name is an opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude for his grace and goodness in our lives. Even if we encounter difficulties or challenges in service, our attitude must remain steadfast in obedience and gratitude.
Jesus concludes the parable by saying: “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants! We only did our duty” (Luke 17:10, NIV). This statement may seem disconcerting at first glance, but it is actually a powerful reminder that our service is a response to God’s grace in our lives. We should not expect special commendation or rewards for fulfilling our Christian obligations, for it is our duty to do so.
Learning with the Parable
The parable in Luke 17:7-10 challenges us to examine our attitude toward Christian service. We must remember that we were called to serve, not to be served. Our motive for serving should be gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. When we understand God’s love for us and what He has done for us, we are empowered to humbly and obediently serve others.
To apply this lesson in our lives, we can start by examining our motives for service. Are we seeking personal recognition or serving from a pure heart? Are we expecting earthly rewards or are we grateful just to have the opportunity to serve God? We must also remember that service is not just limited to tasks within the church, but extends to all areas of our lives. We can serve in our families, communities, and workplaces, always seeking to exemplify Christ’s love and service.
Motivation for Service
In addition to examining our motives for service, it is important to remember that proper motives come from love of God and neighbor. Jesus emphasized the importance of love when he taught that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). Genuine Christian service is driven by this love.
When we love God, we recognize his goodness and grace in our lives. We are grateful for your salvation and the forgiveness we receive through Jesus Christ. That gratitude spills over in the form of service. As a result, our service becomes a tangible expression of our love and gratitude to God. He empowers and strengthens us to serve others by sharing Christ’s love and truth with them.
Furthermore, when we love our neighbors, our service becomes a response to God’s call to love and care for one another. Our acts of service are not just for our personal benefit, but for the benefit of those we serve. It’s a practical way to demonstrate God’s love in action.
Jesus’ Example of a Leader in Service
Jesus is the supreme example of leadership through service. He not only taught us about humble service, but he also lived it in his own earthly life. He said, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, KJV) . Jesus, being God incarnate, chose to humble himself and serve humanity, sacrificing his own life to reconcile us to God.
By observing the life of Jesus, we learn that service is not an inferior task, but an opportunity to impact lives and establish the Kingdom of God. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, welcomed the outcast, and taught God’s truths. His service was characterized by love, compassion and humility. Jesus showed us that even in leadership positions, we are to be servants to all.
In following Jesus’ example of leadership in service, we are called to abandon any notion of superiority and humble ourselves in front of others. We must be willing to do menial tasks, help those in need, and seek opportunities to serve, regardless of our position or status. Like Jesus, our service leadership must be grounded in love and care for others.
Learning from the Service of Jesus
Jesus’ teaching in Luke 17:7-10 calls us to a deep reflection on our attitude and motivation in service. As we immerse ourselves in his example and commit to following him, we can learn valuable lessons about how to humbly and obediently serve others.
- Humility and gratitude: We must recognize that everything we have and are comes from God. Our attitude should be one of deep gratitude, knowing that we deserve nothing, but God has bestowed his grace and mercy on us. As we serve, we must do so with humility, recognizing that we are instruments in God’s hands to bless others.
- Love as Motivation: Love is the central motivation of Christian service. Loving God and loving others are the fundamental principles that drive our service. When we love, we are willing to sacrifice our time, resources, and comfort to help and bless others.
- Example of leadership: Jesus is our perfect example of leadership through service. By imitating his example, we become humble and compassionate leaders, willing to make ourselves available to others. Serving is not a sign of weakness, but a demonstration of strength and character.
- Service in all areas of life: Christian service is not limited to activities within the church. We must be willing to serve in all areas of our lives, whether in the family, community or work. Service is a way of sharing the love of Christ and extending His grace to everyone around us.
- The Transformative Power of Service: Service not only impacts those we serve, it transforms us as well. When we commit ourselves to serving with humility and obedience, we are molded and matured in our character. Service helps us develop virtues such as patience, compassion, empathy, and generosity, making us more like Christ.
- Heavenly Reward: While our service should be selfless, God promises to reward those who serve Him with sincerity and faithfulness. Jesus said, “And everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19 : 29, ARC). The reward is not immediate gratification or earthly recognition, but eternal life and full fellowship with God.
- Persistence in Service: Christian service requires persistence and perseverance. There will be times of weariness, discouragement, and even criticism, but we must remain steadfast in our commitment to serve God and others. The apostle Paul encourages us by saying, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58, KJV ) . Our work in God’s service has eternal meaning and impact.
By understanding and applying these lessons in our daily lives, we will be transformed into humble, obedient servants, ready to do God’s will in all circumstances. Christian service is not a heavy duty, but a joyful response to God’s love and grace. May we embrace the opportunity to serve, recognizing that we are privileged to be called to be servants of God, in imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
