On the Power of Faith.

(Luke 17:5-10).

The Apostles approached the Lord with a request that He increase their belief, because they felt that their faith was insufficiently strong to perform that, which they were called upon to do (compare with Mat. 17:19-20). The Apostles undoubtedly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, as they had not totally detached themselves from the Pharisees’ understanding of the Messiah and His Kingdom, their faith sometimes wavered, and this tormented them. The Lord responded to their request by repeating His previous words on the strength and might of true faith, even though it may be very small — like the “mustard seed.” A huge tree grows from the tiny mustard seed — such a large force contained in this small, insignificant looking seed: precisely in the same way, if the Apostles had the weakest yet genuine faith in them, it will grow and strengthen so that it will be able to produce extraordinary, miraculous works. This particular section doesn’t carry unfavorable undertones for the Apostles, as in Mat 17:20, where the Lord’s words sound as a censure. Here they sound reassuring to the Apostles and appear somewhat exhorting, while at the same time evoking faith in them. The following words: “And which of you, having a servant plowing….” Have the following meaning: when your faith grows to such an extent that it will be able to perform great miracles, beware of pride and vain-glory, so as not to forfeit the fruits of such faith. This is a gift from God, which has to be used with great humility, and through which this gift is kindled. Thus the Lord doesn’t answer directly to the Apostles’ request as to how to increase their faith, but parabolically indicates the means of strengthening it through humility. At the same time, He cautions them about the dangers. This caution was especially needed by the Apostles, because at that time they still had an incomplete outlook: arguing about pre-eminence in Messiah’s Kingdom, expectations of earthly rewards etc..

As an example, the Lord presents that which occurs between master and servant: if the servant ploughs the field and grazes the stock, does the master regard this meritorious? No, because the master directs that he be served first. After he had carried out all his instructions, will he then thank the servant? “I think not” answers the Lord, and then concludes His sermon with: “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”

The meaning of this is that it’s not that the Lord will not praise His servants and not give them rest, but that we must look upon our evil deeds as a debt, and upon ourselves -ineffectual servants that cannot bring to our God anything more than our due. In other words — a person cannot have any achievements before God.