(7) But which of you, having a servant plowing,
or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by,
when he is come from the field, Go, and sit down
to meat? (8) And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? (9) Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. (10) So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
This is a beautiful illustration in the supposed case of a servant ploughing, or feeding cattle, (which were among the lowest offices with the Jews. Isaiah 61:5.) to shew how utterly unprofitable, as it relates to the Lord, are the best services of the best men. And as this was particularly spoken to the Apostles, it should seem that Jesus had an eye to the ministers of his word and ordinances. Oh! how low, how very low before God, must every man lay, both ministers and people, who, taught of God the Holy Ghost, have learnt their own nothingness, unworthiness, and short coming. Reader! depend upon it, if the blood of the Lamb was not sprinkled upon our most holy things, our very prayers would come up unholy before the Lord. Read that solemn Scripture, Exodus 28:38. and behold there how the Great High Priest, under the law, typified Christ, our Almighty High Priest, under the Gospel. Oh! the blessedness of being accepted in the Beloved! Ephesians 1:6.