THE PARABLE OF THE UNWORTHY SERVANT

Luke 17:10
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.'

What is being the unworthy servant/who is the unworthy servant?

 

Being the unworthy servant can be said to be a servant who is but not by merit, qualification, ability or social status, but he only is by factors all dependent on the appointing authority. For it is not that having been appointed to serve is because one has done much to be so.

Thus Paul says he was only a servant by way of being counted faithful (1Timothy 1:12). In this, Paul meant that; it was not because he had been faithful, but rather that; he had only been counted faithful. For many others (more so those of the team of the disciples), could have served in Paul's place (by virtue of their status) (having been with Jesus), but that it was him chosen to do so, could have never been because of factors dependent on him.

If it had ever been so, Paul could have never fulfilled any of such factors. For he had been the least of all the apostles and the chief persecutor of the Church (1Corinthians 15:9), (1Timothy 1:13), (Philippians 3:6), (Ephesians 3:8), (Galatians 1:13). For in the human sense, Paul can't have been the figure that he is in the body of Christ then and today. Paul person gives us a very good lesson today. Rather he can be a mirror for many Christians.

Paul cheered the stoning of Stephen

Jesus told the parable of the unworthy servant to the disciples in (Luke 17:7-10). Jesus must have aimed this parable at the disciples because He was preparing them for ministry. He wanted them not only to assume titles (but to acquire the character of the calling).

Jesus must have been well aware (according to how He was teaching) that the human instinct, which is but blend with the satanic pride would easily sway the disciples from the reality of the ministry to rather only consider the titles (as leaders) than to consider it as a calling to serve.

 Who is the greatest?

While at the last supper, an argument cropped up amongst the disciples as to who was to be greater than the other (Luke 22:24). Heated feelings in this regard must have been boiling amongst the disciples, and it only so happened that this was the opportune time to talk over it.

But Jesus replied to them that; the leader amongst you shall be your servant (Luke 22:25-27), (Matthew 20:26; 23:11). In saying this to the disciples, Jesus wanted to deal with the egos (the persona) which tend to override many of us while in positions of leadership.

Jesus was teaching us that it is not rather about being the leader, but what you do as a leader. The very reason Jesus emphasized to the disciples that a leader is one who serves rather than one who is served or one who wilds respect and authority.

Why the unworthy servant?

Yet the unworthy servant is not termed as so for being so. But it is a call to serve with utmost humility. Rather to avoid self aggrandizement (Matthew 6:1-4; 6:5-6). For none is a servant of God by what they believe they can do.

Being a servant of God is not about what the servant has done/can do or can't do. Rather it is not upon one person to be a servant of God. So then, one ought to endeavor to avoid conceit while in the service of God (1Timothy 6:3-4), (Romans 26:12), (Proverbs 26:12).

This calls for a flourishing relationship with God rather than with men. For you have not done enough having served in one way after the other (Luke 17:7-9).

 Does God ever honor His servants?

Yes, God does indeed honor His servants. Jesus taught that if anyone loves to serve Him, then he is to follow Him. Thus serving Jesus is as valuable as following Him. In this, nothing is less or more than the other. It is therefore on this that such a servant will be honored and where Jesus is, such a servant too will be (John 12:26). So then, the unworthy servant is not so because there is no value in him. The term "unworthy servant" serves to make a faithful and obedient servant who submits to the master in all measure.

The power in an example

The unworthy servant is also termed like this so as to instill the character of being exemplary. This drives us to the power in an example. In this, God is the supreme example for us all (Leviticus 19:2). Jesus admonished us by saying the same (Matthew 5:48). For God was always with Jesus because Jesus did the things that pleased the Father. So, God sent us Jesus to be the mediator between man and God, and to be exemplary to us (John 5:19-24).

In the same vein, when the apostles and the disciples learnt from Jesus, they transmitted that to us (1Corinthians 11:1). Paul wonders how one teaches others to live a certain way, but then he practices another way! (Romans 2:1-5, 2:18-23). 

The Apostles and the Disciples then acted accordingly and called on us to be exemplary (1Timothy 4:12). So, if we love to impact peoples' hearts, it is certainly by being exemplary (1Peter 3:1). For many a time, the Apostles intervened by using examples as to put right the wrong perception of scripture by some people. For some had insisted that the gospel was not for the gentiles but Peter corrected them by referring to scripture (Acts 11, 11:15-17). In this, Peter was being exemplary to the flock.

Some Jewish Christians had insisted that gentiles could never be Christians unless they practiced the Jewish rituals and norms. But the Apostles intervened and corrected them referring them to how Jesus never limited Himself only to the Jews. Jesus even went to the Gentiles and performed miracles there (Acts 15:4, 15:6-12).

Jesus washes the disciples' feet

We learn that Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (John 13:1-17). And after having washed their feet, He told them why He had done so. He washed their feet so that they could learn from Him. For the disciples were but by and for Jesus. Jesus was their master and teacher. But how He taught and demonstrated to them was to notify them that He had not come to exercise power and authority over them but to show them the way and the right way.

For Jesus came to lead us to the knowledge of God's plan for man. In His teachings then, Jesus meant that it is never about who is who, but who does submit to the will of the Father. So, in all this, Jesus loved to demonstrate to them that; He hadn't simply come to pass on instructions to them, but He was equally to be part and would go ahead of everything He had taught them. For Jesus taught that we are great if we become like children (Luke 9:46-48), (Mark 9:33-37).

Jesus went on to show them how to be like a child by washing their feet. For children are always obedient and submissive. I have learnt this from my children. So, Jesus showed us that this is how one can touch the heart of another. Do you realize that people will take you for what you have done, and not for what status you are?

Jesus washing the disciples' feet

So, when Jesus said and did all this, He was planting and emphasizing the power in setting an example. Thus then, He told them that; just how He had been an example to them, so should they be to others (John 13:15).

The worldly style of leadership

For the mode of leadership of the world is to exercise authority over the rest. Yet this is not so when we serve God (Luke 22:25), (Mark 10:42-45). For it is all service to others and not to be served. A Christian servant only serves so that the master is honored and glorified. That is; we serve only to glorify the master. In this then, we should not be looking for personal honors, but rather we should look for the interests of the master (2Timothy 2:4). This is how well it is for us.

So, in all this, we ought to learn that a servant with the Christian insignia must learn that the reward for our service is of God and not of men. In this then, we must not look for the praise of men but of God. We must serve not expecting material rewards from those we serve if to say.

Our service must be driven by the love of God and not by selfish desires for material gain, and the praise of those we serve. We must serve not expecting to be paid back by anybody else other than our Master who is God. This teaches us not to be selective when we serve. Our service, (as was of Jesus) must be available to any and everybody regardless of any and every factors that may be. We should serve the poor as we ought to serve the rich (with the same spirit and with the same love and care) (Luke 14:12-14).

What example are servants to be?

We are not simply to be examples, but to be of a good example. Say for example not to simply wash people's feet as a ritual (without the Christian substance), but rather to be exemplary even in the heart. That is; we must go as far as being exemplary even to ourselves.

Many Church leaders have done the washing of the feet every Good Friday simply to capture unsuspecting innocent souls but not with the intent our Lord Jesus did it. Rather Jesus did it with all the substance that it is unlike many Church leaders today. But if we make a good example of us, just like Jesus did, then we can wield a lot of authority (rather soft authority) if to say.

Yet if we carry on speaking in the direct opposite of what we demonstrate, it is the very reason that we are simply setting off flames of fire of opposition and disparaging language against us, that we are only left helpless and in need of much more mercy than the would be recipients.

The examples of Moses and Peter


Servants or individuals in positions of leadership for that matter, will tend to influence their followers in many unprecedented covert and overt ways which can be; spiritual or literal, positive and negative. That is to say; leaders will tend to plant their character in those who believe in and follow them.

For consider the case of Moses and the children of Israel when he (Moses) led them to the promised land. On many occasions, they would turn down Moses' instructions directed to them from God.  Upon this, God would punish the rebelling Israelites fiercely.

The children of Israel challenged Moses and the priesthood on whether they would reach the promised land and upon this, they recalled the memories of the life they lived in Egypt (Numbers 14:1-23). God wanted to destroy them but Moses interceded for them before the Lord.

God forgave them, but He insisted that none of them would reach the promised land (Numbers 14:22). Additionally, when Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On, rebelled against Moses and had refused to take his instructions, God opened up the earth and it swallowed them up together with their families (Numbers 16:1-36).

But do you take notice if you have not that; what God punished the children of Israel for, is exactly what Moses did? Moses did not reach the promised land (as did the rest) for refusing to take instructions as how they had been presented to Him. That on certain occasions the people refused to take Moses'  instructions from God can't have been an unfounded scenario.

Upon this, we can pretty conclude that the nature of rebellion was equally present in Moses. It only hadn't manifested, but with an opportunity to present itself, such nature submerged.

Moses had been instructed to speak to the rock, not to strike against it (Numbers 20:8). He rather struck the rock (Numbers 20:10-11). Upon this, just like what had been done to all the rebellious, Moses was equally punished by not being able to reach the promised land (Numbers 20:12-13). Moses indeed did not reach the promised land (Deuteronomy 34:1-7).

Now, I hope you no longer have to wonder why Moses kept interceding to God for the rebellious. Unlike one who would relish a moment when God would fiercely punish those who don't tow their line, at least Moses must have known that the fact that he was the leader of the people, their rebellious nature can't have been unfounded.

The sinful nature originates from Adam. Everybody body is thus potentially a sinner. Sin is not unique to a person. Recall that a leader is so both spiritually and literally.

Moses strikes the rock

Another example is one of Peter. Peter is a man known for many controversies. He would make one commendable statement at one point, but he would counter it with an equally negative one immediately after. He had the commendable revelation that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). But he would immediately stand in the way of the mission of salvation (Matthew 16:22-23).

Peter would make commitments which he would never keep. For he had committed that even if it had meant to die with Jesus, he would die with Him (Matthew 26:34-35), (Luke 22:33). But when a moment presented that rather than to be convicted (and may be subsequently to be executed), it required him to deny Jesus, he equally went on to do so as much he had committed to die with Him (Matthew 26:70-74), (Luke 22:60). Now, how different is such a character (of Peter) from that of Ananias and Sapphira?

Ananias and Sapphira had made a commitment to give all the proceeds from the sale of their plot to the service of God (Acts 5:1-11). They hadn't been forced to make such a commitment. For it had been out of their own that they did make that commitment (whether out of sheer excitement or not). But just like their pastor (Peter) who would make many commitments but would rather find it hard to keep them, Ananias and Sapphira did make a commitment which they did not keep.

Now, is it mistaken that Ananias and Sapphira happened to be in Peter's flock, given Peter's life story? Do you wonder that the character in you will equally attract people of the same character? Will you castigate and disparage another rather than to help them overcome that unbecoming character? Couldn't you be the source of both; their successes and failures? Upon this then, try to understand if the troubling character in your flock is not a replica.

What is a servant to be?


Is a servant to be perfect? No. Not at all. For Paul, Peter, Moses and all the rest would have never been servants of God. Neither I nor you would have ever been. Yet such is the very reason that everyone of us whether leader or no leader, we must act to help one another reach the finishing line. For in all our successes, it is never of us. None of us has made it by themselves. For nothing is of anyone, it is all granted to each one from God (1Corinthians 4:7).

Jesus is not limited to anyone. Jesus is not exclusive to one person. Jesus is to everyone who comes to and confesses Him as Lord and Savior. The disciples had wished that Jesus would be exclusive to them. Upon this, they wondered why another person who was not of the team of the disciples preached the gospel and cast out demons like Jesus and His disciples did (Luke 9:49-50), (Mark 9:38-41).

In this, they wondered who else should do this except us (disciples)? Or if there is another, so it is that we are more special than they. But Jesus reminded them that He ha come for one and for the other.

Jesus is equally available to me as He is to you. Who is and who is not is entirely dependent on Him (Jesus). Thus then, a servant in God's Kingdom must be all embracing to all who are committed to him by the master. Rather, he (the servant) must be so to everyone. And in this, what matters is to accomplish the task rather than a display of the persona.

But this also teaches us that each servant is to mind doing well their task, and to ensure it is accomplished rather than to mind others. It matters what pleases the master and not the servant. For a servant is as important to the master as is the follower or believer for that matter.

Conclusively

 
So, in all this, we ought to learn that a servant must listen carefully to and follow the instructions of the master. Say for example; not to serve the master with coffee when he rather wants food. As that, it is pretty important to understand that you are a servant on terms of the appointing authority. Rather it is what the appointing authority wants (2Timothy 2:5-7).

So then, no matter how humanly unbecoming an instruction may appear to you, your duty is not to choose between what to do and what not to do, or what is and what is not. In that then, the duty of the servant is to listen to and follow the instructions. A servant should never reason with the master.

A servant takes instructions from the master

 As a minister then, you ought to conduct yourself carefully and according to how you have been appointed (Ephesians 4:1). Not to take it for granted that you are a servant of God. For according to the world order, it entirely depends on factors to do with the individual. This is  not so with serving God. For serving God is never about wielding authority, but rather to serve. For serving God calls for self sacrifice thus giving up oneself.

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WHAT IS THE WORD OF GOD?

The word "word" can be defined as a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing used with other words to complete a statement.

But in the context of the term "word of God", it is not to mean a single word used with other words to make complete meaning of a statement. The term "word of God" is used to mean a statement which proceeds from God's mouth intended to accomplish a task.

So it is not said to imply a word (verb or noun), but to define it as not being common as any other statement may be (which is by anybody else but exclusive of God's). For the word of God (who is but all holy and all righteous) comes with power, authority, all command, and sovereignty (Hebrews 4:12).

For a mere word is simply called "a word", meaning it is just a verb or a noun. But the word of God is used with the definitive, exclusive and affirmative word "the". The term "the word of God" carries infallibility, it is irreplaceable and can't be rivaled.

Rather the word "the" means: something which is of its kind or "one of its kind" for that matter. For being the word from God, it will not return to Him until it has accomplished the task for which it is spoken in whoever or wherever it is received (Isaiah 55:10-11). The word of God, never requires guessing and confirmatory examinations because it is unique in the sense that it is.

Everything (both visible and invisible) is but by the word of God. For in the beginning was the word (John 1:1). That is; everything if it was or if it is to be, it must have began with the word of God. The following are some of the characteristics of the word of God;

1. The word of God is eternal. That is all the rest may pass away but the word of God remains (Isaiah 34:4, 40:8, 51:6), (Matthew 24:35), (Luke 21:33), (Mark 13:31), (1Peter 1:25). 
2. The word of God is a consuming fire. For it burns anything to nothing and it is like a hammer that breaks the rocks to pieces (Jeremiah 23:29).
3. The word of God is the lamp unto the feet and it lightens the way (Psalms 119:105).
4. Keeping one's way pure is assured by adhering to the word of God (Psalms 119:9).
5. Blessings come from listening to and obeying the word of God (Luke 11:28).
6. Listening to and keeping the word of God is a reflection of wisdom (Matthew 7:24).
7. It is the word of God which is right and true (Psalms 33:4), (Proverbs 30:5).
8. It is the word of God which brings understanding (Psalms 119:130).
9. The destruction of Heaven and earth will be but by the word of God (2Peter 3:7).
10. Hope is but by the word of God (Titus 1:2).
11. By His word, Jesus performed one miracle after the other (Luke 5:1-11, 7:1-10, 8:22-25), (Matthew 8:5-13, 8:23-27), (Mark 4:35-41), (John 5:1-9).
12. The word of God creates confidence (1Kings 22:28).
13. The word of God is the sword of the spirit (Ephesians 6:17).

Scripture likens the word of God to a seed (Luke 8:11). That just how a seed germinates, grows and multiplies, so it is that the word of God when planted or preached for that matter, it will do the same (Luke 8:15). For the word of God propagates faith (Romans 10:17). Like a mustard seed (the least of all seeds), the word of God has the potential to grow into a large tree upon which the birds of the air will rest.

So, that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God is that; one needs the word of God so as to acquire faith. That one can't please God without faith; is to give a feel of the magnitude of the importance of faith (Hebrews 11:6). Yet faith is but by the word of God.

In that; the word of God is the seed and faith is the fruit. Thus, they are both presented in the form of  a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32, 13:33, 17:20-21), (Luke 13:18-19, 13:20). Yet what matters is not their size, but what matters is if they are present. For God will work regardless of what size they are. For the fact is that how little they appear does not hinder the potential in them to multiply.

The mustard seed grows into a big tree

So, anything spiritual; be it healing, or progress for that matter, begins with the word of God. For much as the flesh thrives on food, the spiritual man thrives on the word of God. The lack of the word of God causes spiritual impotence and can lead to eventual spiritual death. 

Thus for scripture to say; "...man shall not live by food alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4), (Deuteronomy 8:). For man is a combination of three; flesh, soul and spirit.

For though science should have been treated as a step in trying to understand the majesty of God almighty, man has sought to use it only to challenge God's supremacy and superiority. Yet despite all the human efforts to challenge God, God remains majestic and supreme to all. God's word is therefore equally effective.

Yet away from looking at it in general terms, the word of God can be categorized into three; the Reported word of God, the Live word of God, and the living word of God. All the three categories are well scripted in the Bible.

The Reported word of God

This is the word spoken and written by the prophets, the apostles, Theology historians and the scribes. For though it seemed to have been reported and written by mere men, they only did so by the instruction and guidance of the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:21). For no one spoke after their own accord (Isaiah 43:1; 43:16, 45), (Jeremiah 5:14).

Thus the reason whether it is written by a fisherman like Peter, or by a doctor like Luke, it is all given the same treatment and it is all to be received with the same respect and hope. For it all comes from the same source and that is God.

For in the Bible is God's guidance and command to man. In the seeming literal absence of the person of God, the Bible (which is but His own word) is. Thus to say; we should be silent when the Bible is silent, and we should shout if the Bible does shout. The Bible is the main resource for instruction and the sure guidance for any and every Christian (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We must read the Bible for proper guidance

The Live/Rhema word of God

This is the word of God spoken literally and live from God personally. That is; in this, God is not speaking through anybody. In this, God is speaking directly to the intended person. In such a case, there is no such a thing as to paraphrase. For such a statement is reported as how it has been spoken by God personally, and it is reported only by quoting.

There are countless of examples of the live word of God in the Bible. But there are also countless of unreported cases of God speaking directly to individuals. And such people will always say; "the Lord has told me...".

NB We ought to take care about the now common claim; "...the Lord has told me..."  because many people have faked it so that they can be taken seriously and win unsuspecting believer's attention and allegiance.

Scripture warns us to be careful about false prophets and teachers who come camouflaging as servants of God but only to mislead the innocent souls (Matthew 7:15), (Ezekiel 13), (Jeremiah 23:13, 27:9-10), (Nehemiah 27:9-10), (1Kings 22:1-27, 22:34-37). Nevertheless, God surely speaks literally and live as are some of the following cases in the Bible; (Numbers 14:28), (Genesis 15:13), (Acts 9), (Matthew 3:17; 17:5), (Mark 1:11).

The Living word of God

The living word of God is Jesus CHRIST. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:1-4).

Jesus CHRIST is the epitome or perfection for that matter, and the fulfillment of the word of God. He (Jesus) is the seal of all scripture. Thus it is that Jesus is indisputably God. For the word of God is God Himself. For God dressed up His word with human flesh and called Him Jesus (but for saving humans).

For no word is not owned. A word (regardless of how it sounds or appears for that matter) is no more or less than its source. For that matter, that Jesus is the word of God makes it that all that Jesus is, God is. It isn't therefore mistaken to look to Jesus as God. For Jesus is indeed God. On that account then, Jesus and the Father are one. And the Father can never conflict with the Son in anything. That is; Jesus and the Father are a part of each other and perfectly compatible.

On the account then that the word of God is God, it is readily agreeable amongst us all that; what the Bible tells us it is, should be the final verdict. For it is on the same account that we can quote a person and we can take them by their word. It is so because it is to reaffirm that every word has to be owned and there is no word from nowhere. Everybody therefore is what they talk, speak, or say. One is either for or against their word, but it is their word anyway.

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