Knowing The Word in Luke 12:35-48, You Must Be Ready

While this section is a reference to the second coming of Jesus, it can also be understood as Jesus warning his disciples of a coming crisis, namely the crucifixion and/or the destruction of Jerusalem in A. D. 70. I think we need to keep all three in mind for they reinforce each other in chronological order, meaning they fulfill prophecy and show that God is in control and consistent with his prophetic word. Followers of Jesus are to live in constant readiness. Jesus does not answer Peter’s question directly regarding to whom he is addressing the parable. Instead, he teaches that the greater the privilege of his followers the greater their responsibility. The household manager in the parable is trustworthy, obedient, and righteous. He will be given additional responsibilities. However, when a servant abuses the trust placed in him, upon the unexpected return of the master, he will be punished with a severe penalty and downgraded to be with the unfaithful. People will be punished not only for doing wrong, but also for not doing what is right. J.C. Ryle says, “Our very ignorance is part of our sin.” Leon Morris adds, “God’s servant must make every effort to find out what God’s will is and do it. All are accountable.”

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Prayer: Hold us fast, O Lord of Hosts, that we fall not from thee. Grant us thankful and obedient hearts, that we may increase daily in the love, knowledge, and fear of thee. Increase our faith, and help our unbelief; that being provided for and relieved of all our needs by thy fatherly care and providence, we may live a godly life, to the praise and good example of thy people, and after this life may reign with thee for ever; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

James Pilkington, 1520-1576