We know of temptation. We experience it regularly and often fall to it but do we ever consider the repercussions of us being the one who does the tempting? Sorrow awaits the person who seduces another persons spouse leading them to commit adultery. Sorrow awaits those who publish all the pornography in print or on line causing others to sin. Sorrow awaits the one who entices another to steal of cheat. Those are direct actions but there are also indirect things we can do. What if we dress in a way that causes another to lust after us? What if we regularly sin causing another to think it is okay to do what we are doing? This scripture gives us an opportunity to stop and look at how we live and evaluate if we cause others to sin.
Jesus taught us to rebuke another believer if he/she is sinning. We are also to forgive that person if there is repentance, even if they sin over andover but continually ask forgiveness, we must forgive.
He taught us to not think highly of ourselves when we do what we should be doing. He gave the example of a servant coming in from plowing a field. Does that master invite him to join him for supper? No. The master expects him to continue with what his tasks are. He should prepare the masters meal and serve him. Then the servant could eat. Jesus asked, should the servant expect a thank you and expect to be praised for doing what he is charged with doing? No. It is what is expected of him and for that, he should not expect praise. Jesus continued by teaching it is the same for us. When we obey Him and do as we are told and taught we should say, "We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty." (vs10). We should do what we are here to do and not think we are special and expect praises.
On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus encountered ten lepers who cried out to Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus told them to show themselves to the priests. (He told them to take action) and they obeyed, heading off to see the priests. As they traveled, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One ran back to Jesus shouting "Praise God!" He fell at Jesus feet thanking Him for healing him. That man was not a Jew, he was a Samaritan. (as we know Samaritans were thought of as low class people worth very little. The Jews despised them) However, the one who was considered to be scum expressed his gratitude with thanksgiving while the other nine (perhaps all Jews who should know enough to respond the same way) went on their merry way, thankless. We can again use this teaching as a mirror to look at ourselves. Do we cry out for the mercy of the Lord but go on our way after receiving blessings from the Lord or do we return to Him filled with thanksgiving and gratitude? Jesus response was (vs17-19) "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" And Jesus said to this man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you." We are taught to praise God for our blessings as the one did. I can't help but wonder if the nine lost their healing as these verses imply. Perhaps they kept their healing but received no further blessings.
The rest of this chapter speaks to the coming Kingdom of God. The Pharisees asked Him when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus taught them the Kingdom of God couldn't be detected by visible signs for it is already among them. No one could point it out and say it is over there or over here.
Jesus then addressed His disciples saying, they would long for the day when the Son of Man (Him) returns but they wouldn't see it. People will tell them He is over here or over there but warned them to not follow such things. He taught, just as bold as lightening lights up the entire sky, so it will be when He returns. His return will be announce boldly and clearly so that all will know He has come. First, He must suffer greatly and be rejected by the people of that time.
When He returns it will be like the time of Noah. People ignored the warnings and went on with life as normal. The people did not heed Noah's warning and the floods came and destroyed them all. He also likened His return to the time of Lot. People were carrying on and living life as always. Buying, selling, eating drinking and living life as normal. Until one morning, Lot left Sodom and heaven rained burning sulfur on the town and destroyed them all. So it will be when He comes. People will be carrying on as usual with no concern for His coming and many will perish. Such are the warning signs of the end coming near just as circling vultures are the sign of a carcass below them.