Christ Commands

Scripture

Primary passage

Luke 17:7–10

7 But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say when he comes in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down at the table’? 8 Wouldn’t he rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not. 10 Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’”

Primary passage · World English Bible

The command

Hear what Jesus commands.

Obey without treating faithful service as leverage that makes God indebted to you.

In context

Hear the whole passage.

Jesus uses the ordinary expectations of a servant to confront entitlement after obedience.

What this reveals

What this reveals about God.

Jesus forms grateful servants who regard obedience as their calling rather than a basis for superiority or special claims.

Practice this command

Take one concrete step.

Complete one responsibility faithfully without fishing for praise, comparison, or repayment; thank God for the privilege of serving.

Discuss

Talk about it.

Where does obedience become a reason to feel entitled, superior, or disappointed that God or others owe you?

Pray

Pray this.

Lord, free us from entitlement. Let us serve faithfully, gratefully, and without keeping score.

Teach

Teach it simply.

Do not use the social setting of the parable to endorse exploitation; Jesus is confronting a disciple's posture of entitlement toward God.

Continue in the original collection

Previous commandGain Your Brother Next commandForgive Your Brother

Use with someone