Peter asked, “Lord, is this illustration just for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied, “I’m talking to any faithful, sensible servant to whom the master gives the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk – well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear that servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful. The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it.
Luke 12:41-47Luke 12:41-47
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
41 Peter asked Jesus, “Did you say this just for us or for everyone?” 42 The Lord answered: Who are faithful and wise servants? Who are the ones the master will put in charge of giving the other servants their food supplies at the proper time? 43 Servants are fortunate if their master comes and finds them doing their job. 44 A servant who is always faithful will surely be put in charge of everything the master owns. 45 But suppose one of the servants thinks that the master won't return until late. Suppose that servant starts beating all the other servants and eats and drinks and gets drunk. 46 If that happens, the master will come on a day and at a time when the servant least expects him. That servant will then be punished and thrown out with the servants who cannot be trusted. 47 If servants are not ready or willing to do what their master wants them to do, they will be beaten hard.
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What is your initial reaction on reading these verses? Do they sound harsh? Just? Unreasonable? Natural? The fact that Jesus is returning is either a great blessing and encouragement, or a frightening realization, once one considers it seriously. We have been left with a job to do, and our actions say volumes about the reality of our relationship with Jesus.
We have a finite amount of time upon this earth. We have a promise that Jesus is returning. The simple point Jesus tries to get his audience to consider is, “What will you be doing when the master returns?” It is a question of priorities. We can use this as just a way to frighten people away from sin, e.g. “You wouldn’t want Christ to return while you were doing that…” Or we can use it to encourage godly behavior, e.g. “Jesus would be pleased to find you doing X when he returns.” But this is more than just carrots and sticks!
So let’s flesh out the characters here. You have a servant. He’s a little self-involved, but he works hard and well, and thinks he deserves some respect for the work he does. Then you have his master. The master goes away on a long trip – leaving the servant responsible. The servant, after all, had shown himself to be a good worker – responsible, diligent and capable. So off the master goes.
For the first week, things proceed as normal. Everyone knows the routine. The servant makes sure food makes it to the table, clothes are clean, etc. Second week, things are still in good shape. But by the third week, things have slipped a little. The servant is realizing that having to run the whole house in the master’s absence is a big task. Rather than being able to enjoy his new position, the fruits of all his labor to this point, the servant is busy late into the night making sure things are ready for the next day.
By the fourth week, we have the challenge. The servant begins to think, “What if I don’t get everything ready for the morning? I can get to it later…” The challenge is really a test of the heart. Is the servant more interested in leisure or getting ahead – or are the things that would please the master foremost on his mind? Where is the heart, the treasure?
This is not a criticism that you ought to be doing more, constantly heaping on more responsibility. The master wasn’t asking the servant to try to “fit it all in”. What the master wanted was to find the servant had been diligent to do what was asked of him. God has asked us to become like his Son. This means devoting our lives to knowing who God is, praying for the body of Christ, meeting the needs of the poor around us and healing and comforting those who are sick and hurting. It means rescuing people from spiritual darkness at every opportunity, and training up others to do the same. These are the kinds of things Jesus did. These are the things that consumed his waking thoughts, time and energy.
So keep that thought in mind as you go about the business of the day. Are you focused on your own interests, or God’s? Are you listening to the Spirit and ready to jump at the call, or are you getting caught up in the daily grind?
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