As Jesus ministry was rounding the last turn, He began to focus on the relationship, first with others, then with faith, and finally duty. As it relates to others, Jesus told His men to take responsibility for their actions and then forgive others that do the same. It can be difficult to admit when you are wrong, but if you will and turn from your wicked ways, forgiveness is yours. That applies even if people fall multiple times.
Next, Jesus reminded the disciples that they had plenty of faith, but that that faith had to be placed in the eternal and not in their own abilities. Jesus reminded the group that if they had mustard seed size faith, that faith was sufficient to move mulberry trees. We all want more faith, but Jesus reminded the disciples that it was the object of that faith that was the important thing.
Finally, Jesus reminded the disciples that doing their duty was not something to be overly proud of. Instead, it is what is expected. As his servants, we are called to deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily and follow Him. In that, they do not get “brownie points” instead, they should look for ways to do more. This is the training and discipline, and that is never fun. If His people will do their duties and seek to do even more–then the blessing will follow.
For us, this passage reminds us to take responsibility for our lives, forgive others that do likewise. We are to have faith, even a little–but that faith needs to be in the Lord and allow Him to direct our paths.
Finally, we need to do what we have been called to do. We cannot back away from the faith. But following the Lord is not a super special extra. It is simply our lives. We must do our duty without complaint and seek no extra pats on the back for simply doing the things for which we have been called. This is war and we are warriors. Live accordingly.
God Bless You
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves.
“If your brother or sister[a] sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Walking With God 