Getting Sacked - Luke 17:1-4

Drawing from the excoriation of the Pharisees for self-justification, legalism, and works/wealth-based salvation found in the previous parables, Jesus warns his disciples of the danger of their constant impinging sin. He also subtly draws from previous parables, like the lost coin and the Prodigal Son, that exemplify God’s desire to find and forgive the penitent sinner. The eighth and final parable follows Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness. It tells of the faith and duty that are necessary to accomplish the commands of reproof and forgiveness. In so doing, Luke fulfills the purpose of his Gospel: to steady our wobbly faith by teaching how God righteously and forgivingly deals with a God-lover’s sin and repentance.