Some Sayings of Jesus

 Lectio Divina on Luke 17:1–10 

“Faith, Forgiveness, and Service”

Lectio Divina is a prayerful way of reading Scripture—read, reflect, pray, rest, and live the Word. In Luke 17:1–10, Jesus calls us to forgive freely, trust deeply, and serve humbly. Through quiet listening and reflection, we let faith take root like a seed, transforming pride into love and duty into joyful obedience.

1. Lectio – Reading the Word

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, still my heart to hear Your voice.

Let these words fall as seeds of grace

taking root in faith and obedience. Amen.

Some Sayings of Jesus 

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 

Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” 

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’ “

Luke 17:1-10 

Read the passage slowly, noticing the flow: warning, forgiveness, faith, humility.

Hear the disciples’ plea — “Increase our faith.” What word or phrase touches you today?

2. Meditatio – Reflecting on the Word

Prayer for Reflection

Holy Spirit, open my understanding.

Let these words reveal Your wisdom and reshape my heart. Amen.

Jesus links faith not to power or privilege, but to forgiveness and obedience.

A mustard seed of faith, He says, can uproot what seems immovable — bitterness, pride, fear.

William Barclay notes, “Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.”

True faith forgives freely and serves humbly.

The servant’s duty is not glory but gratitude — to find joy in serving the Master.

Ask yourself:

• Where am I called to forgive but hesitate?
  
  
• What small act of faith might God be asking of me today?
  
  

3. Oratio – Praying the Word

Prayer of Response

Lord, I believe — help my unbelief.

Increase my faith to forgive, to obey, to trust when I cannot see.

Keep me from pride in serving; let love, not duty, be my motive.

May every small act of faith draw me nearer to You. Amen.

Turn this reading into a conversation.

Tell Jesus what stirs within you — resentment you need to release, faith you long to grow, humility you wish to learn.

4. Contemplatio – Resting in the Word

Prayer for Silence

Jesus, gentle Master, let me rest in Your presence.

I need no reward, only You.

May peace settle where striving once lived. Amen.

Be still.

Picture yourself as a servant returning from the field — weary, yet quietly content.

You have done your duty out of love, and the Master smiles.

In that gaze, find rest.

5. Actio – Living the Word

Prayer for Action

Lord, send me out in faith and forgiveness.

Teach me to serve with joy, love without counting, and walk humbly with You. Amen.

Live what you have heard.

Offer forgiveness where it’s overdue.

Serve quietly today, without recognition.

A single seed of faith, planted in obedience, can move mountains in the heart.

Read the following poem that flows from Jesus’ words in Luke 17:1–10, where He reminds His followers that even faith as small as a mustard seed can do the impossible. It’s a meditation on quiet trust — the kind that forgives, serves, and loves without seeking recognition. In the soil of humility, such faith grows into grace.

Faith the Size of a Seed

A word is spoken, small as breath,

yet mountains tremble, roots are torn.

Not by strength or shouted faith,

but by quiet hearts reborn.

Forgiveness flows like unseen rain,

softening soil long hard with pride;

the seed of trust falls deep within,

where grace and surrender abide.

No servant boasts, no soul demands,

for love alone commands our deed.

We serve, we sow, we do our part—

and God gives growth to every seed.

So when the day is done and still,

our hands unclench, our striving cease—

we whisper, “Lord, we’ve only served,”

and rest beneath Your gaze of peace.