Luke 17:1-10 The disciples are addressed in this next passage. The hypocrisy of the Pharisees, Their love of money as a hidden sin that God sees, is exposed in the story of the rich man and Lazarus could cause someone to think that Lazarus was a victim and received us reward for that. So Jesus addresses his disciples to let them know there are 4 things that are key virtues for life in the Kingdom of God. Just because you see yourself as poor, a victim of injustice, or even simply misunderstood is no free pass into Abraham’s bosom!
Luke Johnson writes: “The Pharisees were indicted for false legal piety, they did not keep the deep moral demands of the law and prophets even as they posed as their protectors. As Money-lovers, they tried to both serve God and Mammon.” Now Jesus turns to the disciples with positive instruction concerning the demands of the Gospel.
There are four matters which Jesus addresses:
These are not matters of comfort, rather they show the difference between living a kingdom of God kind of life and using religion as a means of disguising sin.
The first two are very radical statements:
The response of the shocked disciples is, how can we do that?
This reply begs the question, how do I get this kind of faith?
The righteous shall live by faith
The empowerment of the Holy Spirit enables us to have mustard seed faith
The confrontation in Jerusalem, and the start of a new era is coming into focus
Your response to sin and scandals, will determine how your spiritual walk is governed. The objective here is not perfection, but humility and love motivating your actions.