Day 357: Using what we know – Luke 12 vs 35 – 48

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 36-38  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will make them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or towards daybreak.  39-40 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 42-46 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47-48 The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:35-48 New International Version (English Standard Version link)

In the verses just before today's reading Jesus had told the disciples to not trouble their hearts about their daily needs (such as food and drink) because God knew those needs and would care for them. Instead, what should their focus in life be upon? (vs 35)

They were to focus on being ready to serve their Lord wherever and whenever He called. (vs 36-38) Verses 39-40 imply that this desire to be found occupied in serving Jesus extends even to His return, which could happen at any time. The desire to be found faithful in serving Christ ought to fill our minds far more than chasing after those things we feel we need in this world.

Peter asks an interesting question in vs 41. How would you interpret the answer Jesus gave in vs 42-48?

I think the answer has two parts. Firstly, verses 42-46 set out the general principle of servants given responsibilities by a master. Some were conscientious, worked well and did a good job. Others got distracted, tired of waiting, and abused the master's goods and fellow servants. When the master returns he dealt with each as they deserved. (I think Jesus used figures of speech familiar to them and the 'cutting in pieces' could refer to a flogging, which was common in those days.) The second part of Jesus' answer (in vs 47-48) goes directly to Peter's question. What's the implication there?

I suggest He was teaching that His words applied to ANYONE who becomes one of His servant-followers, but that more is expected from those who know and understand more of His words and will. The more of Jesus we know the greater our privilege and blessing – but also the greater our responsibility. What a responsibility rested on those first disciples who actually experienced the physical presence of Jesus. But it applies to us too. Some are blessed to have grown in Christian homes. We in the West have the Bible in so many translations, and freedom to speak of Jesus. Are we making the best use of what we have and what we know?