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Pentecost 18

3 October 2004

Luke 17:5-10 If you had faith...
Background
Vv5-6 are spoken to disciples who are feeling the burden of leadership – Jesus replies with typical Eastern hyperbole. Even their small faith is sufficient with God for whom nothing is impossible.

In Greek an “If “ clause express something either according to, or contrary to, the fact. Here it affirms the fact - i.e. “if you had faith – and you do!.........” Jesus’ comment is not a reprimand for their little faith, rather he affirms the faith they have and invites them to live in the light and empowerment of that faith.

The genuineness of faith is what is important – the rabbis held that the roots of the sycamine or mulberry tree would remain in the earth for 600 years – it was very firmly rooted, so removing it would be very difficult. Genuine faith can accomplish anything, if it is exercised within God’s will.

vv7-10 The parable begins in a manner typical of Lucan parables – “Who among you…..” The anticipated answer is, of course, “no one”. The slave does double duty but knows this is entirely appropriate – the slave’s time and labour belong completely to the master. But on the other hand, the slave’s security, well being and sense of worth rest on the relationship with the master. But at the end of the day, the master is not in the slave’s debt because he has done a good job – nothing is owing to the servant beyond the normal day’s pay. (A good illustration of the disciple’s relationship to God in Christ.)

Note that the supper is a 3pm meal – this is not a demand for excessive work after hours but simply part of the normal day’s work. v.10 “Worthless” slaves i.e., those to whom nothing is owing.

In preaching
It is difficult for us to translate this parable into our own context – we no longer tolerate slavery. But we can see that Jesus came among us as one who serves – as his disciples we too serve and there is no point at which we can “rest on our laurels”.

We are all servants and our serving never stops or ends. When we have done our best we have only done what is required of us in love – and who can ever satisfy the demands of love? God’s grace is a gift, not something to be earned.

What is our attitude to one another in the church – do we see ourselves as all committed to serve, regardless of “position” or “status”?

How well do we serve the community – or are we as “church” a cosy community which “looks after its own”? Do we expect “Brownie points” for what we do in service to others?

And what about our attitude to faith? Do we get into judging or comparing the “size” of each other’s faith? That flies in the face of what Jesus is saying here – “If you have faith – and you do – then...”.

2 Timothy 1:1-14
v 14 Guard the good treasure entrusted to you with the help of the Holy Spirit. Here is a passage of encouragement – the seed of faith that is passed on down the generations gives a “spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline” (v.7) That self-discipline grows from the gift of God’s love that lies “within you”. It is in this context that we become the kind of servants portrayed in the Gospel reading. It is not Timothy’s own resources which will empower him even in the face of Paul’s imprisonment but the empowering of God which lies in the faith passed on to him by his mother and grandmother.

Lamentations 1:1-6 & Psalm 137
Both speak of grief at the loss of Jerusalem after the city was destroyed and the temple burned to the ground. The Psalm includes vicious cries for vengeance on Israel’s enemies.

We must remember to take our few verses in context. Lamentations does go on to acknowledge that God is merciful “his mercies never come to an end” (Lam.3:22). And while Psalm 137 is a sustained poem of lament, the Psalms preceding and following speak of God’s steadfast love.

The book of Lamentations and the Psalms provide for us an honest record of God’s people’s down times as well as their rejoicing. They validate for us the emotions of hurt and anger, pain and sorrow that we all experience, and the bringing of those feelings before God.

Perhaps it was scriptures such as this which gave the disciples the courage to admit to Jesus that they are feeling the burden of leadership, and to cry out to him for renewed faith.

Prayer suggestion

Lord, help me to relax.

Take from me the tension
that makes peace impossible.
Take from me the fears
that do not allow me to venture.
Take from me the worries
that blind my sight.
Take from me the distress
that hides your joy.

Help me to know
that I am with you,
that I am in your care,
that I am in your love,
that you and I are one.

David Adam in “The Open Gate” SPCK 1994