Little Ones
Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
I see here a need to be gentle and sensitive to people. Too often we see only our needs and our view of things. When we are offended we need to be careful how we respond. We are to care for one another. Sometimes others do not see as we do.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Who are the little ones? We just spoke of Lazarus the beggar. He was ignored and abused by the rich man. Little ones, as children under the responsibility of parents. The parents not being caring parents, allowing harm to them. The mill stone waits. What about false teachers leading people astray? Surely they share in the condemnation. Jesus loves the little ones. Little children according to 1John were new believers. What if we keep a new believer from continuing because we are too full of pride? We get together and argue over doctrines and the little one leaves in confusion. Satan comes along and puts doubt in their minds. Are we helpful to the little ones? They are everywhere so be kind, be sensitive, put away pride and speak on their level. Soon the little ones will grow in the Lord to be fruit bearers in the Fathers vineyard.
If He Repent
Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
This is the only verse that I know of where Jesus puts a condition on forgiving another. Our response is to rebuke the brother. A brother is another of faith, not a stranger of the world. He should know better. If we are offended by a brother or sister of Christ, rebuke them. If he repent, forgive him. It is between you and him. We do not gossip to others about it. We go directly to the offender, tell him how he has offended and then seek reconciliation.
The word rebuke in the Greek is epitimao. Primarily, "to put honor upon," then, "to adjudge." This is something done in love. We honor the person, not put him down as the world does. Honor, says something nice and then points out the error so as to convict the person of sin.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
The brother's response is to repent. Repenting is first saying he repents, then actually turning from sin, not just words. We are to forgive him.
Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Seven times in a day a brother trespasses against you, and he repents seven times; we shall forgive him. If he says I repent, we forgive. Seven times in a day may try your patience, but the Lord says we are to forgive.
I want to add that Jesus expects us to forgive others, yes those who are not of faith who have really hurt you. They may not repent, but we forgive them to be free of the thoughts and emotions. Then God is responsible to convict them or to judge them if they never repent. Give the hard ones to forgive to God. Your brother or sister has the same spirit, expect them to change. All others we give to God.
Increase Our Faith
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
What is important is who we have faith in.
Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
A small faith as a mustard seed in the mighty God is enough. The sycamore has a deep root. Speaking earlier of forgiveness. Many have been hurt or abused and have grown deep roots of resentment and bitterness.
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Through faith in Jesus it can be uprooted and cast into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Unprofitable servants
Luke 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
A servant is to do the masters will. We are servants of the Master; is it not expected that we will do what he commands?
Luke 17:9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
Why must we be thanked for doing what is expected and required? Talking in context; forgiveness and trusting in God for all Spiritual needs. Another area we are to serve in is under a working situation. We must obey the boss, not complaining or demanding of him, but obeying and doing what is required without being told over and over, or expecting to be treated in a special way.
Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
unprofitable, achreios, useless, good for nothing. Better to be humble. In Spanish a servant will say "de nada," when thanked for serving. Of nothing, it is nothing.
Thank you Lord for choosing us to serve you. We are to do your commands. First we accept Jesus as Lord then we do his commands. His commands are to love, to put off the old man and walk in the new Spirit filled life he has provided, in which to serve him and others. We are never to expect praise for what we do. We are unprofitable servants.
1 Cor 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1 Cor 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1 Cor 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1 Cor 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Cor 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
Luke 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Leprosy was an incurable disease. It is often used as a symbol of sin.
Luke 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
As they went in obedience, they were healed.
Luke 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
Luke 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
The Samaritans were a despised because their religion was not pure. I doubt if a Samaritan would go to a Jewish priest.
Luke 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Luke 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
Only one in ten who called him master, gave glory to God and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
His faith in Jesus made him whole. Faith is a part of healing, he was made whole. The other nine were healed, but not whole in that their hearts were not grateful. Are we grateful, or are we living in past failures? Have you been to Jesus with gratitude and has he healed your heart?
Kingdom of God
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Jesus was speaking of the spiritual kingdom of God that was even there before the Pharisees in the presence of Jesus. Jesus is the kingdom on earth at that time. They were proud and thought they knew scriptures, but they did not see nor believe the kingdom manifest through Jesus.
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
The kingdom was not to be seen outwardly, but within a born-again believer.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Born of water after the natural birth. Going through the water of repentance and being baptized in the baptism of Jesus, in the Holy Spirit.
John 18:36 Jesus answered(to Pilate), My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Seeing the Son
Luke 17:22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
Jesus and the kingdom presence was with them. The Pharisees did not acknowledge that Jesus, the son of man, the son of King David, was Lord. Perilous times were coming and they would long to see his goodness and grace. but because of unbelief he would not be seen. He is seen within the hearts of those who believe in him.
Luke 17:23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
Many will claim to see Jesus or the Messiah, but they are false. Do not follow false messiahs.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Luke 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
The return of Jesus will be seen by all, just as lightning that flashes across the sky is seen by all. This is despite what some groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses say - that Jesus returned "secretly" in 1915. (Guzik)
Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
No one can enter the kingdom without the cross of Jesus. Jesus must first suffer many things and shed his blood on the cross. Those who only seek Jehovah for the kingdom, must first seek His Son Jesus. Jesus is the entrance to the Kingdom of God. The Jews who rejected him also rejected the way to God the Father and the eternal kingdom. Pray for the salvation of the Jews.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The Day of the Lord
Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
Luke 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Jesus is as our Ark, we shall abide safely in him.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Lot was taken out of Sodom by the angels. The angels shall gather God's people and those not in Jesus shall be destroyed.
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
We will know that the time is near. The world will be taken by surprise.
Luke 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
Time of Separation
Luke 17:31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
A time of separating and judgment.
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.
Lot's wife looked back at Sodom and Gomorra, longing for the things of the world and she was turned into a pillar of salt. The body with all water removed and burned is reduced to chemicals and salt, but perhaps this was more supernatural.
Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
Seeking to continue in a sinful life will mean that we lose out in God's eternal life. Losing this life and following Christ Jesus is to receive eternal life and to preserve the soul.
Luke 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Luke 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luke 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
These verses are often referred to as the Rapture, or taking away of the church.
1 Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Luke 17:37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Judgment will occur to the unrighteous before the Lord comes again to earth. I see the reference to eagles as buzzards, that feast on the carcasses of the dead. The bodies left are those under the wrath of God, the souls that are with Jesus shall be saved.
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