Unworthy Yet Not Abandoned
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Luke 17:10
So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."
In other words, “don’t get too big for your britches,” as my Mom would have said – actually, as I have said to my own children. Don’t believe your own press is another way of stating that. When we do good works, when we live in line with our Christian faith, we do so because of who Christ was – and still is. We don’t do it for the glory. At least we shouldn’t. We are, however, human with a bent toward slipping into that old, familiar, “It’s all about me” mentality.
The abject and honest humility this type of statement, sincerely spoken, requires is really beyond human ability and capability. That’s why Christ came to earth – to be humble for us, to step in for us where we are incapable and/or unwilling to go. He became humble – more he personified humility – on our behalf. God loves us so much, and knows us so well, that He didn’t want us to miss the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven. He knew, too, that we needed someone in the person of Christ – not a pretender to the throne – who could be the perfection we could not achieve.
Wow, talk about being unworthy! Talk about something to be grateful for. Talk about a reason to try to be the very best people we can be, to do the very best in every situation, to keep at it, and never give up. . . What more could we ask for? I can’t think of anything. Well . . . in my humanity I can! Ouch. But that’s the whole point. Jesus transcends our humanity. He became one of us, but not like us. He took on our humanity and allowed himself to have it beaten and battered out of him. He allowed himself to be stripped and hung upon a cross; wooden spikes driven into his wrists; and through his ankles. And even as he hung there, clinging to life – he forgave the criminal on the cross beside him.
OK. What more can I say to make my point. We are, indeed, unworthy. The good news is that God loves us anyway. And Jesus is the proof.
My prayer today is that you strive to be Christ for God’s fallen, hurting, human-laden world. And that you share the Good News of the Risen Christ with everyone you meet.
Mary
