Study 37. Luke 17:5-22. 22/9/23

5. What is Jesus's point about faith in Luke 17:5-6?

The apostles may have felt that great faith is needed for forgivenes. Jesus is not concerned about the quantity of faith, but its genuineness. It is not so much great faith that is required as faith in a great God.(Morris)

 

The rabbis held that the roots of the tree with this name would remain in the earth for 600 years. Why are mulberry trees not uprooted in our experience then?

The immediate conclusion would be the lack even of minimal amounts of faith, but that is not Jesus' point. Answers to prayer depend on trust in God, implying a certain knowledge of His character and will. Answers depend then on:

• our relationship with Christ (Jn 15:7)
• steadfastness of trust (Js 1:6)
• asking according to God's will (1 Jn 5:14)
• not asking for selfish reasons (Js 4:3)

Faith, then, is not a force where, after reaching a certain level, answers to prayer become possible. 

6. How should God's servant feel even if he manages to exercise his faith to do everything God expects (17:7-10)?

We should not feel that we deserve thanks.

We should feel unworthy of honour. We know our place before God

We should feel satisfied with performing our duty. (cf. 1 Cor. 9:16).

How is 17:11-20 a lesson for us about discipleship?

Even performing great deeds with faith must not lead to spiritual pride. 'Unworthy' (achreioi) is a difficult probably means ‘not yielding gain’ (cf. Matt. 25:30), 'unprofitable'. We have no claim on God's favour despite our good deeds and greatest ministry.

Our life must instead be characterised by gratitude for grace. 

At the end of the day’s work the master does not call the slave to have dinner (though our Master does that and more! 12:37; 22:27) (Morris), So Jesus reinforces the grace of God.

 

7. All ten lepers had enough faith in Jesus to ask for healing (17:12-13) and obey Him before they had proof of healing (17:14). What was unique about the Samaritan's response to Jesus (17:15-16)?

Jesus tested their faith by asking these men to act as though they had been cured. 

Only one returned even before formal certification of healing to thank the Lord. 

His praising of God shows his awareness of the source of his healing and his willingness to testify of it. 

 

The fact that he was a Samaritan highlights the openness of the gospel to all peoples. 

He had previously lived together with Jewish lepers because the diesase overrode normal social considerations. It might have been expected that this Samaritan would have been the last to give thanks to a Jewish healer, but he was the first, and evidently the only one. If people do not give thanks quickly, they usually do not do so at all.(Morris)

 

The remaining nine lepers enjoyed their healing, but did not receive the deeper healing of salvation (Gk sozo), cf. 7:50, 8:48, 18:42.  Jesus was disappointed at their lack of gratitude.

 

 

8. In what sense was the kingdom already in the midst of Jesus' hearers (1:32-33, 4:18-21)?

 "in ways that can be observed" translates a unique Greek word (parateresis). "in the midst of you" (Gk entos hymōn) does not carry an absolutely certain translation. The kingdom does not come in spectacular ways, but in quiet changes in the lives of people and in the humble entry of its King.

 

9. Why were the Pharisees unable to perceive the kingdom already in their midst (11:34-36, 39-44)?

Their eye was full of darkness - they could not perceive spiritual truth. This was because they did not desire spiritual truth, but worldly gain.