Knowing The Word in Luke 17:1-4

Temptations to Sin

17:1 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Comments

At the beginning of chapter 17, Luke adds what seems to be a series of unrelated teachings from Jesus that are too valuable to lose. Teaching others to sin, or doing by example, will have eternal consequences. We do not know the fate of those who cause others to sin, but it cannot be pleasant. “Little ones” may be infant believers or more widely applied to all believers. Jesus did give affectionate names to his followers. Then he warned all of us: neither can believers be indifferent to sin and evil, nor can we hold grudges against others when they repent of their sins. We are in the forgiveness business just like Jesus. If we do not forgive, then we have yet to appreciate the forgiveness we have already received.

Application

“That is unforgivable” is not a phrase Christians can use. It implies that the cross does not cover a particular sin. It also means that we see the cross has limited efficacy. What do you believe about the power of the cross when it comes to sin?

Prayer

Take me to the cross, heavenly Father, that I may contemplate all the riches of forgiveness my Savior gives me and all who believe in his Name.