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- Luke Chapter 17
Good morning! Good morning! ☀️
"When disciples followed a rabbi, they followed him closely so they would never be out of his sight, never be someplace where they couldn’t hear him speak. They followed him so closely that his sandals often kicked up dust."
May you be covered in His dust.
If this is your first time getting Covered in His Dust, WELCOME!
Read Chapter 17 before reading my notes. They’ll make more sense.
Access previous notes on Luke by signing into your account. Click 'Read Online' at the top right of this post and scroll down to find them waiting for you.
I hope you had an amazing weekend. I can already tell you that this chapter is a little complicated, so it will be split into two parts. Today’s notes will seem a little short, but next week’s will be quite full.
Let’s get going.
Jesus acknowledges that temptations to sin are inevitable in life: "They’re sure to come.” He doesn't promise that believers won’t face temptation; rather, He prepares His disciples for the challenges they’ll encounter.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”
James uses the word “when,” not “if.” He then goes on to say that we should consider it all joy.
Why would we consider trials and temptations as ‘all joy?’
“for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
So we can become stronger.
Jesus warns against leading others into sin. Causing others to sin is a serious offense in God's eyes.
"It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin"
Wait. What does Jesus mean by “little ones?”
Who would cause a kid to sin???
To understand this, we need to go to the more detailed version of the same lesson.
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Let’s take it one layer deeper. This is a translation from the Greek word for word.
Ὃς (Whoever) δ' (but) ἂν (if) σκανδαλίσῃ (causes to stumble) ἕνα (one) τῶν (of the) μικρῶν (little ones) τούτων (these) τῶν (who) πιστευόντων (believe) εἰς (in) ἐμέ (me), συμφέρει (it is profitable) αὐτῷ (to him) ἵνα (that) κρεμασθῇ (he should be hanged) μύλος (a millstone) ὀνικὸς (ass's) ἐν (by) τῷ (the) τραχήλῳ (neck) αὐτοῦ (of him) καὶ (and) καταποντισθῇ (be drowned) ἐν (in) τῷ (the) πελάγει (depth) τῆς (of the) θαλάσσης (sea).
Jesus says, “one of the little ones,” and then clarifies it with, “these who believe in me.”
Do you see that?
Jesus was talking about believers who were spiritually young at the time. His followers are just learning about the gospel of the Kingdom of God. They’re ‘little ones’ in terms of their spiritual development.
Jesus is very protective over His little ones, new believers.
This is a strong metaphor used by Jesus to emphasize the severity of leading others into sin.
A millstone was a large, heavy stone used for grinding grain. Jesus is saying that the punishment for leading others into sin is so severe that it would be better for you to suffer a gruesome death like drowning than to face the consequences of leading others to sin.
There are obvious ways we lead others to sin, but there are also some that are more subtle.
When we spread rumors or speak poorly of others, it can lead to division, bitterness, and sin in our relationships.
When we support things that contradict biblical principles, it can lead others to adopt ungodly behavior. Things like abortion or even “white lies.”
Saying one thing but doing another can cause others to question the authenticity of the Christian message and potentially lead them away from faith.
If a fellow Christian, “your brother,” does something wrong to you, talk to them about it. The goal isn't to shame them but to help them see their mistake and make things right.
If they express genuine remorse, Jesus says to forgive them. Forgiving means letting go of their mistake and making things right between you.
Forgive… until.
The number seven symbolizes completeness, showing that forgiveness should be extended limitlessly. The key here is genuine repentance each time.
As hard as that is, we need only look to our Father as the example. What if we forgive others as often as He’s forgiven us?
That’s limitless.
I love the passion when the disciples ask Jesus for more faith! It’s almost like they’re starving for it. That’s the hunger I want!
Jesus is teaching that even a small amount of genuine faith, as small as a mustard seed, has the power to accomplish great things when it is rooted in God.
The image of the tree being uprooted and planted in the sea shows that faith empowers believers to conquer difficulties and do things that seem impossible.
"For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."
A lesson about:
humility,
obedience,
and selflessness
in our walk with God.
Jesus is showing His disciples and all believers the importance of being humble and obedient in their relationship with God.
He uses the example of a servant obeying his master to illustrate that our role is to follow God's commandments without expecting special treatment or praise. We should serve God faithfully, recognizing that it's our calling as His followers.
We are unworthy servants.
He’s God who should be glorified.
When lepers were healed, they had to go to the priests to make it official that they were clean and allowed to be part of society again.
"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look. Then, if the case of leprous disease is healed in the leprous person,'"
One Leper turns back, praising God.
I don’t know HOW MANY YEARS I read the Bible and read about Samaritans but had no idea who they were. Not really. I assumed they were people from Samaria. I’m from the United States of America, so I’m “American,” right?
That’s true, but it’s much more than that.
Author Don Stewart summarized it this way: “Samaritans were half-Jew, half-Gentile. The race came about after the Assyrian captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C. Certain people from the nation of Israel stayed behind. These people intermarried with the Assyrians, producing the Samaritans.”
Samaritans believed they were the true descendants of Israel, responsible for safeguarding the Torah.
They had their own version of the first five books of Old Testament Law , which they thought preserved the original Mosaic religion.
Mount Gerizim was their main place of worship, where they considered themselves closest to God.
They didn't accept the Jerusalem temple or the priests there, seeing them as unauthorized.
These differences in beliefs separated Samaritans from Jews and shaped their distinct religious identity.
This is why the woman at the well was so hesitant.
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
This sheds light on why they rejected Jesus as He traveled toward Jerusalem, where He would ultimately sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world.
“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem."
Now, let’s back up and reimagine the scene.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.
It was a SAMARITAN who turned back to praise God and thank Jesus, a JEW.
That
Is
Powerful
(Turn up today’s song and praise Him, For • He • Is • Worthy)
Okay. A shorter set of notes today, but…
Friday will be THE MOST IMPORTANT NOTES I’VE EVER DROPPED. Set an alarm. You don’t want to miss them.
As a matter of fact, if, after reading them, you agree, I’m going to ask you to share them. Fair deal?
I love you!
(And I’m not just saying that… I mean it.)
George
Uncovering Scripture
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George Sisneros serves as a full-time missionary in Guatemala. He is the founder of Ordinary Missionaries and the El Rosario Christian Academy for Boys.
He’s been married to his wife, Vonda, for 25 years. He’s a father to nine children, five adopted.
George and his family will be expanding to Cuba in 2024.