Studies by Book
Luke 17 7-10 An unprofitable Doulos of Jesus Christ 01 Right understanding of who we are
📖 Luke 17:7-10
11Jul2020 - *Right understanding of who we are* - _Luke 17:7-10_ - A DOULOS OF JESUS CHRIST (1) – Bible reading: _Colossians 3:23-24_
We have completed the study of the passage from _Luke 17:3-6_, which we had titled as *Faith and Relationships*. We are now entering a new study of the next passage, which is _Luke 17:7-10_
_And which of you, having a servant ploughing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? (8) But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? (9) Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. (10) 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.' "_
We will title this study as *A Doulos of Jesus Christ*
In the first reading of the paragraph, this passage sounds harsh and uncomfortable. We would like to quickly skip this passage but this is an important understanding for us, here.
We, today, work in organisations. We have job descriptions and expectations. We are assessed against our expectations and the deliverables that are required of us and we are part of a salary structure, with increments, rewards, incentives and promotions. We are not slaves to anybody. We report to our supervisors and we work under the governing body of the organisation but we are no slaves to anyone. This is our understanding today but in the time of Jesus, things were very different.
In the time of our Lord, slavery was common and people, who could afford, would have slaves. It is said that the majority of the population in the Roman empire were slaves. So, as the Lord taught on this matter of the work and life of the slave, the disciples had no difficulty to accept the teaching that the Lord was giving them.
As we read verse 7 in this passage the word servant must be read as ‘bondslave’, which in the Greek is *Doulos* (pronounced as doo’-los). In the first three verses of this passage i.e. verses 7-9, the Lord is asking the disciples questions from the perspective of looking at themselves as the masters.
_(7) And which of you, having a servant(a Doulos) ploughing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? The answer from the disciples would be an overwhelming, “No, we will not”.
The next question. _(8) But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'?_ The answer from the disciples would be, “Yes, we would”.
Then the third question. _(9) Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not._ The answer from the disciples would be, “No, we will not”.
Then the Lord, having led the disciples to see themselves as the masters, turns the teaching around to make the disciples to now see themselves as the bondslaves, the Doulos.
This is the application for us. We must have the right understanding of who we are. We are the bondslaves of Jesus. We liked to call ourselves as the Disciples of Jesus Christ but what we must see ourselves to be and be seen as must the bondslaves of Jesus Christ. We are *the Doulos of Jesus Christ*, which is how we will title this study.
Let us not be troubled by this title. We are in very good company when we accept and take on this title of the Doulos of Jesus Christ. Paul, Peter, Timothy, James and John, all introduced themselves as the Doulos of Jesus Christ.
_Romans 1:1 *Paul, a bondservant* of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God Philippians 1:1 *Paul and Timothy, bondservants* of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: II Peter 1:1 *Simon Peter, a bondservant* and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: James 1:1 *James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ*, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to *His servant (Doulos) John*,_
Should you and I hesitate to be known as the Doulos of Jesus? No, not at all. Personally, this is a big revelation for me. This day, I surrender and submit myself to be a Doulos of Jesus Christ. Will you join me?
*Thought to ponder*
```Imagine, if the church will consist of all who are the Doulos of Jesus.```