What Jesus Did! 'The Attitude of a Servant' — Luke 17:7-10

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving

We're thankful for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support!

 #thankful
[Jesus continued,] "When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, 'Come in and eat with me'? No, he says, 'Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.' And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, 'We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.'"
— Luke 17:7-10 NLT

Key Thought

In Jesus' day, a servant did not have any significant rights. A servant had to do what pleased his or her master regardless of thanks or praise. A servant had no right to expect approval or commendation. When a servant worked hard and completed a long list of demands, there was no expectation of praise; that servant only did what was expected. Jesus is Lord, Master, and Savior. He has called us to follow and serve him. Of course, the incredible blessing is that when we come to him as a servant, he welcomes us as a sister or brother and friend and, at the end of this life, will tell us "Come, ... inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." [1]

[1] Matthew 25:34.

Today's Prayer

Father, as I come and offer myself to your Son as a servant for his work and his glory, thank you for accepting me as your child and making me his sibling, a joint heir with your precious Son and my Savior. In his name, Jesus Christ the Lord, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Out of a Sense of Duty
Article by Alan Smith
What is your motivation to serve? Sometimes we just need to do things out of sense of duty to be faithful.
One of the Hardest 'Miracles'
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, What's the hardest miracle to perform? I know many of you would love to see some great miracle of your selection to help you believe....."
Warts and All
Article by Philip Gulley
When I recall how Mr. Ellis brought me back into the human fold, I remember that Jesus once took ten lepers in hand and did the same. Philip Gulley uses his homespun charm to pay tribute to a hero, tell a self-effacing story about childhood warts and crushes, and weaves it together to remind us of God's love and how we should love others.
Choosing to Be the 1!
Article by Phil Ware
In a world seeking to get and acquire, do we pause to give thanks for all we have? Phil Ware uses the parable of the 10 lepers to remind us that we want to be the 1 who returns to give thanks even though we live in a world where most people are not very thankful!
See All 6 Related Resources about Luke 17:7-10

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 17:7-10 NLT — ' And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do?

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, October 5, 2023

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Received with Joy' (1 Th. 1:6)
"So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. "
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Abraham Lincoln:
"It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their own independence upon the overruling power of God ... and to recognize the sublime truth announced in....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Live with Devotion and Hope in Jesus'
"And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
1 John 1:8-9
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!