Kingdom Parables: The Unworthy Servants (Luke 17:7-10) The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) Notes on Setting: The time was once again late in Jesus ministry probably late February or early March, 30 A.D. shortly before Jesus death and resurrection. The first of our three parables was spoken in Perea the area east of the Jordan River, while the second and third were spoken either in Judea near Bethany or somewhere in the wilderness of Bethaven (cf. Jn. 11:54) shortly after the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead (cf. Jn. 11:1-44). Jesus had gone there in view of increasing pressure by His enemies and in order to spend time preparing His disciples for their work and ministry. The Unworthy Servants (Luke 17:7-10) Notes on Parable: Lesson 16 Having witnessed Jesus power as demonstrated through the raising of Lazarus and having been instructed in matters of giving offense and offering forgiveness, Jesus apostles seek further
instruction. They were eager to learn, for they had ambitions of high service and consequent earned rewards within Jesus coming kingdom. What they needed to learn, however, was quite unexpected anyone wishing to serve in Jesus kingdom would have to do so with a genuine sense of humility and a willingness to serve faithfully without thought of reward. To fully understand Jesus meaning one needs to understand the mindset of His 1st century audience. It was understood in those days that masters did not serve servants (slaves), even should those servants come in from a hard day s work in the fields. The servants were expected in such situations to address the needs of their masters, before resting or taking care of their own needs. This was their expected duty to be fulfilled as a condition of their status as a servant. They could and should expect no reward for simply doing what they were expected to do. In the same way we, as members of Christ s kingdom, have been bought with a price the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Pet. 1:17-19). We are His servants (slaves) the objects of His grace and mercy. Even were we to fulfill His law of love perfectly, we would still not deserve anything, for we would have only done what was required by the law (cf. Mt.. 5:48). We would have to join the servants in the parable in saying, We have done what was our duty to do! Quotation: Let us take these words home to ourselves. In the First Article we confess God has created us and daily provides for us, and we add: Without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which it is my duty to thank and to praise, to serve and obey Him. In the Second Article we confess Christ has redeemed us with His precious blood, and we add: That I may be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. You were bought with a price; and so you are not your own; therefore glorify God in your body. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Walk worthily of God, who has called you into His own kingdom and glory. In the Third Article we confess the Holy Ghost calls, gathers, enlightens, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies me. Of course, it is my duty to serve Him in body, soul, and spirit all my days with all my heart. [Wm. Dallmann, Short Stories by Jesus, p. 133f.] 2
Discussion and Application: The Bible says, If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (2 Thes. 3:10b) It also says, The laborer is worthy of his wages. (1 Tim. 5:18) We teach our children to be industrious in their lives here in this world, and we want them to learn that they will be rewarded for their hard work. We are not saved by our works, however, and this parable seems to rule out any expectation on our part of rewards. How do we reconcile those two seemingly opposing viewpoints? How do we teach our children to function well both in the kingdoms of men and in the kingdom of God and to know the difference? The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) Notes on Parable: Jesus knew that His disciples would face many troubles in both the near and distant future as the end times came. Such troubles confront each and every one of us. Prayer is therefore a very important weapon in the Christian s arsenal. Persistence in prayer in the face of trouble is an absolute essential. Jesus here teaches such persistence. Jesus uses a technique He uses elsewhere citing a negative example to illustrate a positive lesson (cf. Lk. 16:1-13). The judge cited was probably an example of one of those judges or municipal authorities appointed by Herod or the Romans, for one man could not have formed a Jewish tribunal. They were known for their ignorance, arbitrariness, and covetousness. [Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Vol. II, pp. 286f.]. Jesus point is that if an unjust judge in this world is moved to respond to an appeal for the wrong reasons so as just not to be further bothered will not our just Judge in heaven respond to 3
our appeals for the right reasons His own command to us to pray and His promise to answer those prayers? (cf. Mt. 7:7-11) Discussion and Application: When Jesus says men always ought to pray, what does He mean? That is not even possible, is it? Consider also Paul s encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and his possible explanation in Philippians 4:6-7. One hears people speak of taking the law into their own hands. That may be tempting to do, when justice does not seem forthcoming. How might Jesus promise in Luke 18:7-8a together with Paul s admonition in Romans 12:17-21 help temper an improper reaction to the injustice we see in the world today and move us to more fervent prayer? The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) Notes on Parable: This parable is directed to those who trusted in themselves and who despised others. While Jesus words appear to be directed primarily to His disciples who certainly revealed their own struggles with pride (cf. Mt. 20:20-28), His audience may well have included the Pharisees mentioned earlier in the text (cf. Lk. 17:20). It is interesting to note that Jesus first speaks of the Pharisee praying with himself before addressing God, while the Tax Collector would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven as he addressed God. Jesus words were aptly chosen, for the Pharisees embraced and proclaimed a system of work righteousness based upon their interpretation of and additions to the Mosaic Law to both of which the Pharisee alludes. Work righteousness makes every man his own Savior and so ultimately his own god. It is, therefore, very true that the Pharisee prayed with himself even though outwardly he addressed his prayer to 4
God. He could not, however, and did not justify himself before the one, true God in heaven above! Tax collectors were usually Jews who for the love of money allied themselves with the Romans, purchasing the right to gather taxes on Rome s behalf and enriching themselves along the way. Their gathering of taxes often involved out-right extortion, and so tax collectors were viewed as traitors and thieves. They were generally denied access to Jewish synagogues and often excluded from Jewish social circles. This man, however, not unlike Matthew had been led to repentance and was genuinely seeking God s grace and forgiveness. Quotation: Re: The Pharisee: He looked into the mirror and fell in love with himself, like Narcissus. His chest swelled with the pride of his self-righteousness, and so he insolently set at naught all the rest as open sinners. He confessed no sin; he confessed he had no sin to confess. He asked for nothing; he lacked nothing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow? His blessings flowed from himself alone. He trusted in his own work-righteousness. With great unction he chanted a fine doxology, Glory be to this Pharisee! Pray? Bray! Brag! [William Dallmann, Short Stories by Jesus, pp. 28-29] Here Christ etches two deathless portraits from life, each a foil of the other. By striking contrasts the divine Artist brings out the characters so vividly we can never forget them. He puts before us the wrong and the right way of salvation in a drama. The characters are Workrighteousness and Faith-righteousness, and we hear them talk and see them act. By nature we are all prideful Pharisees. Trusting in our own righteousness, we spurn Christ s righteousness. Being our own savior, we reject God s own Savior. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. We make God a liar. [1 John 1:8, 10; 5:10] By God s grace we become humble publicans. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The blood of Jesus Christ, God s Son, cleanseth us from all sin. [1 John 1:9, 7; 2:1] [William Dallmann, Short Stories by Jesus, p. 32] 5
Discussion and Application: This parable serves as both a warning and an encouragement. In what ways does it do so and for whom? Discuss the nature of both pride and humility and consider how both manifest themselves in our lives as Christians on a daily basis. Presented by Pastor Paul D. Nolting Study Outline Coming up: Lesson 17 Kingdom Parables: The Laborers in the Vineyard; The Ten Minas (Mt. 20:1-16; Lk. 19:11-27) 421 N. 2nd Street, Mankato, MN (507)345-3027 www.immanuelmankato.org 6