Knowing The Word in Luke 17:7-10, Unworthy Servants

When people have such great faith as Jesus describes in the previous verses, they may be tempted to spiritual pride, which is the topic Jesus addresses next. No master serves his servant as Jesus describes, but he does! Jesus’ point is not that we are special because we do what he asks of us, just as a servant is not special because he does what is asked of him. We are special because we have been created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus. As disciples we do our duty not for reward but because it is our duty. It is what we do. The Book of Common Prayer picks up this teaching in the “General Thanksgiving” in Morning Prayer II: “Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks . . .”

7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Prayer:

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

General Thanksgiving, Book of Common Prayer