“Don’t Get Cocky!”

The Parables of Jesus

March 19, 2022

“Don’t get cocky!”

Luke 10:1-7

If you’re a Star Wars fan, you remember the scene. It occurred in the first Star Wars movie back in 1977. Episode IV.

At this point in time, Luke Skywalker has already met Obi-Wan, and they are on Han Solo’s ship, The Millennium Falcon. Unfortunately, the ship comes under attack by tie fighters. Han tells Luke to operate one of the gunnery chairs as Chewbacca is injured.

Luke is not familiar with sitting in this gunnery seat that moves in what seems every position as he attempts to shoot down an enemy ship. But he finally gets the hang of it and destroys a tie fighter. Luke yells out, “I got him.” Han Solo turns around and yells to Luke, “Great shot, kid, don’t get cocky!”

What does Han Solo mean when He says, “Don’t get cocky.”? Luke was looking for affirmation. Instead, Han tells him to not look for praise when you do your job and accomplish it.

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Jesus was not one to hold back when speaking with His disciples. So let’s check out today’s Parable.

The Master and His Servant

 “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’? 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’? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 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.’”             Luke 10:1-7

First, Jesus says, “Suppose one of you.” That’s His way of saying, “Imagine this.”

After reading the passage from Luke, what did you imagine about the relationship between the servant and his master?

The master may come across a bit hardnosed. The servant has been working all day in the fields. Then he comes back to his master’s house where, as the saying goes, “There’s no rest for the weary.” His master tells him to prepare supper for him, and only then he, the servant, may eat.

Think of it this way. Jesus tells us to “Go and make disciples.” So, as obedient servants, we do what He says, and we “Go.” Then, Jesus tells us to plant the seed of the Gospel. So, we tell others about God’s saving Grace and the sacrifice His Son Jesus made for everyone.

Don’t expect a bunch of “Atta, boys” because you are following your master’s directions. Jesus is telling His disciples, including you and me, not to get all pompous and cocky by comparing ourselves to others.

Just because someone doesn’t read and share the Bible as much as you or I may do, doesn’t make us better than them. Just because I’m a retired church worker and could speak before scores if not hundreds of people about the Gospel doesn’t make me a bit better than my neighbor who shares God’s Word with a friend.

No matter how hard we work for the Kingdom, we are still all sinners no matter how much we accomplish. And I, just like my neighbor, being saved by God’s Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ.

So, do your job, and spread the Gospel to the world. Just don’t get cocky 😊

Dear Jesus. You owe us nothing, while we owe you everything. We know we are saved B.G.T.F. (By Grace through Faith). So, lead us into the harvest fields as we sow the seeds of the Gospel for you. And, let us never think too highly of ourselves for doing the job God has given us to do. Amen.