“In the same way, when you have done everything required of you, you should say, ‘We servants deserve no special praise. We have only done our duty.’” — Luke 17:10
People were always asking things from Jesus. Heal. Raise the dead. Settle family disputes. Feed. Give compliments. And we, too, ask things from Jesus. After all, he did say, “When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:14) Whatever we ask him to do, we ask because it will make us happy in some fashion.
There’s another level of happiness that comes, though, from asking Jesus for something else.
The above verse from Luke is at the end of a parable Jesus told regarding masters and servants. A servant has duties to perform. Jesus says we, too, have duties to perform if we dare call him Master. Worshipping, helping others, sacrificing, reconciling, giving, teaching, learning… The Master calls each of us according to the talents we have. And talents used in his service roots us in life, gives us meaning, and points us ahead. When we are focused on doing those duties, we find a deeper satisfaction than if we had just treated him as a celestial gumball machine.
A guideline for discipleship comes from adaptinng something President Kennedy said in his inaugural speech. It’s not so much about asking what Jesus can do for us. It’s more about what we can do for Jesus and the kingdom he started.
Good thought.
Thank you.