The Cost of Responsibility

Series on Luke

IV The Imperatives of the Kingdom

B Instruction in Rejection

4 Servants Watching

Text: 12:35-48

Introduction

This text is complex because it involves two parables, and the second parable is an answer to a question about the first parable. These parables are all about the second coming, that is, the triumphant return of Jesus in glory to consummate the gospel age. In the present environment we regularly have some alleged prophet predicting the soon return of Jesus because they have computed a time-line from the Bible, or because they have observed certain signs. The problem is that the Bible does not give a definite time-line for the return of our Lord, and all the signs keep being fulfilled over and over, and have been for almost 2000 years. The only safe position is the one that Jesus Himself adopted. Jesus spoke definitively about this in Matthew 24:36, No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. In the face of that truth it is absurd that people keep popping up with new predictions. This is mostly due to the Dispensational interpretation of prophecy that predicts a complicated, rather hair-brained, scheme of events at the end of history that encourages all kinds of speculations. The Scripture is plain. Jesus will return at an unknown time and at that time there will occur the general resurrection, the judgment of the living and dead, and the commencement of the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness shall dwell. This is the position adopted in all the great confessions and creeds of the church. So as we look at our text let us see what is really expected of us. We are not to speculate but to wait, to watch, and to work.

I Wait

The first part of our text is a parable telling us to wait in verses 35-38, Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men 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. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have 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 second or third watch of the night. There are two important truths taught in this parable. First, the servants are to be waiting for the master’s return. They are to be ready which implies waiting expectantly no matter when he comes. Now, if they know when he is coming they will not be waiting expectantly. If you have ever waited for the arrival of loved ones you know the suspense that characterizes that waiting. If someone tells you that they are coming, but you don’t know when, the suspense is even greater and the due diligence is to always be ready. Jesus even pictures the servants on guard for the master’s arrival in the deepest hours of the night. In the second place, we find here some incredibly gracious and cheering words. Jesus says that when the master comes, if he finds his servants ready, he will be so pleased with them that he, the master, will reverse the roles and he will serve them. Such is the grace and ministry of the Lord Jesus and we all know the story in John 13 of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. John says that in doing this Jesus showed the full extent of His love, and that was in serving us through His atoning death. On that occasion in verses 13-17 Jesus spoke to His disciples, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. This is surely something worth waiting for.

II Watch

The admonition to watch is conveyed in verses 39 and 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. Here Jesus is teaching the exact same truth, but He is using a different illustration of it. Draw your own conclusions about people who set dates for the Lord’s return, but personally I think anyone who tells me that he knows that an unknown thief will rob his house at 3:00 AM is delusional. But this is precisely the point that Jesus is making. We don’t know when thieves will break in and steal so we must be on our guard and watch. Peter tells us in II Peter 3:10-12, But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. There is no question that Peter is describing the return of Christ, because he tells us in no uncertain terms that we are to be looking for this day. When Paul describes this day in I Thessalonians 4, his words agree with Peter’s, and it is clear that there is no secret rapture. The day is unknown, and it is sudden, but it is definitely not secret in verses 16-18, For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. So in a nutshell we are to wait and watch for Jesus’ return that will be very public, but sudden and unknown.

III Work

In the remaining part of our text in verses 41-48 we have a question from Peter in which he wonders to whom Jesus is speaking the preceding parable, and Jesus tells another parable to clarify, Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 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. I tell you the truth, 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 menservants and maidservants 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. “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his 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. Waiting does not mean sitting on our hands and watching is not done off duty. An excellent example is seen in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah after the Babylonian captivity in Nehemiah 4:16-18, From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me. Jesus has told them to wait and watch, but now in answer to Peter’s question he tells another parable of a servant who fails to do his duty. The master returning severely punishes the servant who was unfaithful in doing his job. So the answer to Peter’s question is that the parable is for everyone, but especially for those who have positions of leadership and responsibility. This really includes all of us because we all have responsibilities in the family and in the church. Thus Jesus concludes with the warning, 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. No one should be content with passive waiting for the Lord’s return. Everyone should work, and we should all give heed to the admonition of Paul in Galatians 6:2, 6, 9 and 10, Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ… Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor… Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. These words make clear that we all have much work to do, but like Nehemiah’s builders we must do it and keep watch and guard while we are at work. Even so come, Lord Jesus.