Special thanks to Jill Hamming from PEI who is writing the devotionals on the readings from Luke (with help from L.E.Porter’s commentary on Luke).
SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:1-10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION
- Jesus is teaching the disciples here. The first charge is to be careful what you teach. Things that cause people to sin are bound to happen but whoever causes people to sin by their teaching is in big trouble!
- The second thing is, be ready to forgive. You can’t overlook sin and if a friend sins talk to him about it. If he repents forgive him. If the sin is personally against you forgive him. Even if he does it many times forgives him each time. (Don’t forget how much we ourselves have been forgiven).
- Next is about faith. Porter says; “With oriental hyperbole Jesus gives them insight into unexpected possibilities. . . The roots of the mulberry tree are particularly strong. . . It was supposed to be able to stand for 600 years. To uproot it would be a virtual impossibility, to replant it in the ocean even more so, but faith in God surmounts impossibilities.” What are the possibilities in our life if /when we understand what faith is?
- Don’t think that you do the work given to you to do to earn merit. Doing your work well is simply what Jesus expects of you. Jesus’ high regard and love for you is separate from what you do. He loves you regardless of how you act.
PRAYER:
Thank-you Lord for these lessons. Thank-you that there are always things to learn if we ask You. Please keep teaching us and growing us into a deeper understanding/relationship with You. Amen