Luke 17:1-10 Link to the verses if you haven’t had a chance to read them yet.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2017%3A1-10&version=NLT
It seems that Luke has spent the last couple of chapters recording things that Jesus taught in the presence of large crowds, some of whom were the more wealthy and influential of society. Now we find ourselves among teachings that he probably shared in smaller groups, people who actually wanted to follow him, however imperfectly. These words seem to be spoken to people whom Jesus really loves and with whom he shares his heart. Regardless, they are deeply challenging.
The first two verses are such a solemn warning to me. Words like these are the reason I will sometimes simply say, I don’t know. There are plenty of places in the Bible where it warns us about misrepresenting God’s word. Throughout his life Jesus was kind and gracious to those who knew they were a mess. He had patience and compassion for them even when they stumbled over and over. But he held the religious leaders to a higher standard. And he had no patience for those who mislead people who trusted them to teach the word of God. Throughout history there have been many people who have taught lies, tried to use religion and the word of God for their personal gain, and have misused people while claiming their authority comes from the Bible. I really do not want to be counted among them when they stand before God. Jesus is pretty clear. It will not go well for them.
Verses 3 & 4 are for everyone who wants to experience the grace and forgiveness of God. When people hurt you, you don’t get to hold it. You can go to them. You can confront them for causing you hurt, but if they repent, you forgive. No negotiating. No keeping score. No setting parameters for how it’s going to go next time. Your job is to forgive. God’s job is to help them be faithful to their repentance.
This is what God offers us, and he knows we need it. Be honest with yourself for maybe 90 seconds. You keep making the same wrong choice in some area of your life. You want to change, and you ask God’s forgiveness, but it’s not a one and done. Some battles, some sins are a struggle. We need God’s forgiveness and he loves to give it. He loves to wipe your slate clean and promise not to bring it up again. He loves to treat you like you never hurt him. He loves to give you another chance to get it right.
And he expects the same from you when others hurt you.
Forgiveness is trusting God to handle someone else’s sin. It’s asking him to judge that person’s heart and change it in his time and in his way. God doesn’t need you in the jury. He’s a good judge. He will deal with those who hurt you in the best way. You need to leave it with him – emphasis on leave. Having said that, I feel like it would be irresponsible not to point out that there is a big difference between trusting God to handle someone who hurt you and repeatedly placing yourself in harm’s way. Forgiveness, like so much of this faith walk, is a matter of the heart. You can forgive someone, love them, want God to heal their brokenness and genuinely want their best while still maintaining a safe and healthy distance as God works in them. Forgiveness is hard, not foolish.
It is also compulsory for kingdom members.
In response to that heavy little nugget, the disciples say, “We’re gonna need some more faith”. So Jesus promises them that faith is one of those a-very-little-goes-a-long-way things. The more you use it, the more it will grow. And as it grows, it will empower you to do the unimaginable. Jesus is aware that, while we wait for the kingdom to finally come in fullness – remember that state in which God’s beautiful, perfect character is reflected throughout every person and creature in the whole world – living as members of the kingdom who are temporarily wandering in a foreign land can be hard.
He reminds us that we have a job to do, a position to fulfill. The kingdom will come. We will enjoy fulfillment and peace and the privilege of being children of the King. But for now there is work to do. Verses 7-10 are the scriptural equivalent of, suck it up buttercup. Following Jesus here where people don’t understand, respect or even desire the kingdom can be hard work. Use that tiny seed of faith you’ve got. Remember what we have to look forward to. You might not get a gold star every time you do the work God has given you to do. That’s ok. You’re a member of his kingdom. That’s an honour you haven’t earned. That’s a privilege you could never afford. It’s an incredible gift. If there are days when the journey is a lot of work, persevere. You are a member of the kingdom of God. It’s a good kingdom. It will be worth the struggle. You aren’t earning your spot. You are living your life honouring the one who earned it for you. It’s not a big ask.
