The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?  So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” 

We are dropped into the continuation of a conversation that began in Luke 17:1-4. After talking to his disciples about stumbling blocks, Jesus turns and addresses “the apostles,” who asked for an increase in faith. Jesus reminds them that it doesn’t take much faith to make a significant impact.

Q. When in your life have you needed to ask God for more faith?

Verse 7-10 is a parable that is based on the ancient practice of slavery. Unlike slavery in America, it was not based on race, and freedom was often attainable after a period of service. Jesus, with this in mind, asks the apostles what they would expect from a slave. In verse 10, he turns the tables and asks them what they should expect as a slave.

Q. In other words, do we serve God to be rewarded or out of duty, based on what has been done for us?

God, you know my heart and you know that under all the busy-ness of my life, my heart desires the warmth of your love and the light of your presence. Help me embrace hope, to rest in hope, and to become hope for others. Whether days are hard and impossible, or everything is well, let your presence be my rock and light. Remind me you hold me close.

Amen.