Preparing for His Coming
May 5, 2019
Commentary
Jesus shifts the emphasis from being worried about the present to being watchful concerning the future (v. 35). One of the best ways to have victory over hypocrisy, covetousness and worry is to look for the Lord’s return. Jesus taught His disciples that they should be ready because the Son of Man will come at a time when they will not be expecting Him. In this parable He describes a scene in which several servants are waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet (v. 36). In those days, in Bible lands, a groom would go forth to meet his bride at her father’s house and then return with her to his own home.
Since Jewish weddings were held at night the bridegroom’s servants would have to wait for their master to arrive and they were never exactly sure when he would arrive. They just had to be properly attired and with their lights burning when they went out to meet the bridegroom (vv. 37-40). Just as the friends of the bridegroom waited eagerly for him to bring his bride back to his home where they could rejoice together, so we should maintain an attitude of expectancy as we wait for our Lord’s return.
Peter asks a question as to whether this parable was addressed only to the disciples or to everyone (v. 41). The answer shows that it was intended for all believers. The obedient servant will be blessed and rewarded (vv. 42-44), but the servant who disobeys will suffer punishment (vv. 45-48).
Application
If I knew for sure that in 30 days time Jesus was coming and I would have to give an account of my life, what would I do differently than I am doing now?
Luke 12:35– 48 (NET)
35 “Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning; 36 be like people waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom their master finds alert when he returns! I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, have them take their place at the table, and will come and wait on them! 38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, blessed are those slaves! 39 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. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
41 Then Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” 42 The Lord replied, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he returns. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave should say to himself, ‘My master is delayed in returning,’ and he begins to beat the other slaves, both men and women, and to eat, drink, and get drunk, 46 then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.