Luke 12:35-48
35 “Stay dressed for action[f] 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[g] 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[h] 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[i] 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.
Questions:
ReplyDelete1. How do we stay dressed for action? What does that mean?
2. How do we keep our lamps burning? And what does that mean?
3. How will the awake servants be blessed? What does it mean that the master will serve the servants?
4. What does it mean that Jesus might come in the second or third watch?
5. What is Jesus coming referring to? Is this referring to His final coming?
6. What does Jesus' answer to Peter's question mean?
7. How does the manager have to fail to be cut to pieces and put with the unfaithful?
8. What does the levels of beatings mean?
9. How do we know how much God has required of us? Does God demand more from certain people than others?
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2019/01/mark-1332-36-32-but-about-that-day-or.html says:
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents on knowing when the day approaches:
Virtually all the articles I've found on this claim that if we just pay attention, we can get an idea of when the day is approaching. They claim that Jesus was saying that because people won't pay attention, then they won't know.
If I just read what Jesus said above, He seems to be clearly saying that none of us will know - that it will be a complete surprise to all of us.
I think people look at the first part of the chapter and see all the specific signs (which was most likely for the destruction of the temple in 70 AD) and attempt to apply that to when Jesus comes back. I think they are refusing to hear what Jesus is saying here because they have their own notions of how the end is going to happen.
Just like when Jesus came the first time, everyone had it wrong. They had ideas about the Messiah that were completely wrong. All the prophecies make sense in hind-sight, but they couldn't make sense of them because they had their own expectations. I think it's exactly the same way today. The experts have it wrong, and the people who are listening to them can no longer hear what Jesus is saying.
Here is what I think Jesus is saying: Jesus is coming back in a time when we won't expect Him. At that time there will be no signs showing that He's coming back (at least any signs that we could correctly interpret no matter how much we are paying attention).
Because of that, we need to keep watch. What this means is that we need to live our lives for Jesus and not ourselves. We need to watch our priorities and live in such a way that Jesus is going to come any time (which is true). When Jesus does come, we don't want to be caught living for ourselves. Because there will be a Day of Reckoning, and that day will come unexpectedly.
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To summarize, Jesus told his disciples that the answer to their question about when the end would come was: "You can't know it, and not even I know it." That seems to be a difficult lesson to learn.
Despite Jesus' clear teaching, many Christians throughout the centuries have repeated the mistake of the apostles. Many have tried to prognosticate when "the end" would come, and have almost always said it would be "very soon." But history has proven Jesus right and every prognosticator wrong. Quite simply, we cannot know when "the end" will come.
So what are we to do in the meantime, while we await Jesus' return? Jesus gave the answer to his disciples, and it is our answer as well. He said: "Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.... So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him"
Watching world events is not what Jesus was speaking about here. What all Christians must "watch" is their relationship with God. They are always to be ready to meet their Maker.
Jesus then went on to describe in the rest of chapter 24 and throughout chapter 25 what is really important to "watch." In the parable of the faithful servant, Jesus told his disciples to avoid worldly sins and the threat of being overcome by the attractiveness of sin (24:45-51). The lesson? Jesus said, "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" (24:50).
https://hartmangroupdevotionsmark.blogspot.com/2019/01/mark-1332-36-32-but-about-that-day-or.html continued:
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents: Answering questions:
1. What Day is Jesus referring to?
I think that He is referring to AD 70. He is also referring to the day He comes back.
2. Jesus didn't know the Day? Was He omniscient or not? Was He not God?
Jesus is fully human both in heaven and earth. While He was on earth, He did not have His full powers. There's (at least) two explanations: If you are a dualist (where you believe that humans have a spiritual soul inhabiting a physical body), then Jesus' body was human and His soul is the triune God. Jesus soul was omniscient, but His brain was not. If you are a physicalist, then Jesus was fully human, but had the identity of God. He was God in name and identity, but did not have access to His power. In both cases, the Holy Spirit, who is God with all God's powers, inhabited Jesus. So in a way, Jesus had all the power the Holy Spirit gave to Him. But, Jesus was subject to the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived on a "need to know" basis.
3. Who is the owner of the house in this parable?
Jesus. When Jesus was speaking about going away for a while, He was speaking of His death (the first going away, and He coming back when He rose) and His ascension (in which He will come back again). This could also be referring to His judgement on Jerusalem in AD 70.
4. What happens when we are caught sleeping?
For the Christian Jews in AD 70, it meant the difference between escaping with their lives or death and great suffering. It made a lot of sense for them to watch for and escape the fall of Jerusalem.
For today, I keep trying to make sense of this. We don't know the day or the hour. We are saved by the grace of Jesus. It seems like people's warning cries today are based on silliness, ignorance and flights of fancy. I think that this verse doesn't mean that we should watch for the tribulation, end times, anti-Christ, etc. First, because we are terrible at doing that, and, secondly, these things will happen suddenly and beyond our control. If there's nothing we can do, why should be keep alert? If a world-wide tribulation comes, where are we going to go?
On the other hand, if this is a general warning that we should not let the world lull us, because Jesus will come and bring judgment, this may make sense. But, we should be doing this anyway. Why the special warning? This warning makes a whole lot of sense to the disciples at that time. It just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to us today, except in a very general way - and we should be keeping awake to God and what He's doing anyway.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-12-commentary says:
ReplyDeleteOur Lord taught that we should not be anxious about tomorrow (Matt. 6:34), but He did not teach that we should ignore tomorrow! In fact, to the contrary, Jesus taught that our view of the future ought to be uppermost in our thinking about how we should live today. We should view ourselves as stewards who have been entrusted with time, money, and abilities, which we are to use for our Master’s kingdom.
The idea is to tuck up one’s long garment by pulling it through a belt. From the belt hung the scabbard in which the soldier's sword was sheathed. The belt tied tightly around the waist indicated that a soldier was ready for combat. Conversely, to slacken the belt equated with the soldier going off duty, something that is never to be in a Christian soldier. We are always on duty, for our foe never rests.
The second figure, “keep your lamps alight,” comes from a day when there was no electricity. There were no streetlights or city lights outside and no nightlights to help you find your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. If you were expecting a midnight visitor, you would keep an oil light burning so that when he knocked on the door, you could see to let him in. Again, the idea is, be ready for the Master’s coming.
The third picture is of servants who are awaiting their master’s return from a wedding feast. Such feasts could last for days, often for a week. The servants would need to be ready when they heard their master arrive to open the door and serve him.
If you have any regard for Jesus’ words, you must be concerned with the question, “How can I be ready for His coming?”
(1) To be ready for Jesus’ coming, He must be your Master.
There is a sense in which Jesus is the Lord of every person. In this passage, He clearly assumes the authority to be the rightful judge of everyone who has ever lived. But, also clearly, it will only go well for those who are rightly related to Him, who submit to Him as their personal Lord or Master. They will be blessed (Lk 12:37, 38, 43) when He comes; the rest will face His punishment.
(2) To be ready for Jesus’ coming, you must be His servant.
(3) To be ready for Jesus’ coming, you must live in expectation of His return.
If you’re expecting a guest, especially an important guest, you live differently than if you are not expecting anyone.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-12-commentary (continued):
ReplyDeleteI Thessalonians 5:1 - 11
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,[a] you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children[b] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Tony Garland writes - Christians are to watch: (1) for Christ; (2) themselves lest they drift; (3) others lest false brethren or teachers pervert what they have received. Coming as a thief always denotes an unexpected coming in judgment because a thief comes to rob and destroy. Christ is never said to come for His church as a thief. “The first phase of the Lord’s coming is as a bridegroom and the second phase is as a thief. He does not come upon His bride as a thief and He does not come upon the apostates and unregenerate world as a bridegroom.”
“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.” (Rev 16:15).
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-12-commentary (continued):
ReplyDeleteThe first is faithful and represents believers, who are ready for Christ’s return and will be blessed. The other is unfaithful, and represents unbelievers, who are not ready for His return and will be punished. Since all people fall into one of those two categories, Jesus’ parable encompasses everyone.
As EACH ONE has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10)
Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions
If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; (2 Tim. 2:12).
CONTRAST WITH UNFAITHFUL SERVANT
Some writers see both the faithful and unfaithful as believing stewards/slaves (one rewarded, the other losing his rewards - e.g., Warren Wiersbe) but others see these two contrasting pictures as believing stewards/slaves versus unbelieving slaves/servants.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/luke-12-commentary (continued):
ReplyDeleteStein - Here it is uncertain whether this serves simply as a picture of severe punishment or whether it also includes the idea of being cut off from God’s people (cf 2 Th 1:8-9). The next statement appears to lend support to the latter idea.
Kent Hughes - The "servant" here has not simply been lazy or indolent but monstrously unfaithful—a drunken glutton who beats not only men but women—an abuser of both divine trust and human life. Paul told the Ephesians: "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them" (Ephes. 5:5-7). And listen to St. John: "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother" (1 John 3:10).
"And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,
This shows that not only are there degrees of glory in the new heaven and earth (1 Cor. 15:41, 42), but there are also degrees of suffering in hell.
Questions and findings:
ReplyDeleteGeneral note: Almost all the commentary in precepts Austin on this topic stunk. I think they really missed the boat, because they stressed a pre-mil rapture view (which is not Gospel (and which most scholars reject anyway)).
1. How do we stay dressed for action? What does that mean?
2. How do we keep our lamps burning? And what does that mean?
The biggest issue I have about all the commentary on this, is that it makes it about us avoiding punishment or getting rewards. I think that completely misses the point. God's kingdom is never about what we get out of it, but what we get to be a part of. The returning master is not necessarily limited to when Jesus comes back for the ultimate Judgement. I think it's more about moments of accountability - those times when we are either filled with joy because we are in Christ, or those times of sorrow, when we see that we are undressed and missing out on everything God is doing. We need to stay ready right now, because there is a war going on. We can't afford to fall asleep. If we fall asleep in the middle of a war, or just drop our armor, we will be (spiritually) slaughtered.
Ephesians 6 explains it: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
To keep dressed, we have to constantly rely on God in prayer and meditating on His Word, constantly repent of anything that gets in the way of seeing Him and His will, and constantly seek His will and obey it when we hear.
3. How will the awake servants be blessed? What does it mean that the master will serve the servants?
The blessing doesn't refer to the size of crowns we will be wearing around heaven. It refers to spending eternity with God (both now and then) and being a part of what He is doing, which is enough for any of us. There's a lot of speculation about what "rewards" might look like in heaven. But, let's admit it's speculation and base our doctrine on what we know.
The blessing, both in the here and then, consists of us being a part of God and what He is doing. If we are asleep now, we will not be a part of what God is doing. If we are in Him, He is able to wake us up from death, and make us a part of what He is doing. That is the blessing, and the only thing in this world (and the next) that will bring us joy and fulfillment.
We know that Jesus (who is God) had a servant's heart. God rules us at the same time He serves us. That's the way God's economy works - ruling is serving. On our end, we don't even deserve to be His slaves; but He raises us up so high that He looks to us as partners (and rulers under Him) in His kingdom.
Questions and findings continued:
ReplyDelete4. What does it mean that Jesus might come in the second or third watch?
This just means that Jesus will come for us at a time we don't expect. This is not (mostly) about a rapture, or even His second coming. The previous verses were about the rich man who was going to die that night. This continues that point. We need to be on mission. Time is limited. In the case of the previous parable, it meant the rich man's death.
5. What is Jesus coming referring to? Is this referring to His final coming?
I am not sure that the Master's coming is necessarily at our death (or His second coming). The Master's coming may be points of accountability in our lives. God will bring us in line. If we fall asleep and misbehave, God has a lot of ways of waking us up.
6. What does Jesus' answer to Peter's question mean?
Peter is asking if the parable was meant for just the disciples, or for everyone. I think Jesus is answering "both". It is meant for everyone. However, to those who mush is given, much will be required.
7. How does the manager have to fail to be cut to pieces and put with the unfaithful?
I'm pretty sure that the servants in this parable are all believers. It looks like this parable says some will be punished (to bring them back in line), and that others will be put out with the unfaithful. The following verse describes this:
I Cor. 5: 4-5 - "4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord."
Notice how the man was delivered over to Satan. He was thrown out with the unfaithful. But the purpose was so that he would be saved in the end. If we sin and repent (many times after experiencing hardships), we are restored and everything is well. If we continue in sin and refuse to repent, we will be thrown out from the (spiritual) house of God. Hopefully, we will eventually repent. (Some say that all believers will eventually repent, and those who don't were never believers - I say that's a semantic argument).
8. What does the levels of beatings mean?
Most of the commentaries make this about the final judgement. I have problems with that interpretation. Are people beaten before they go to heaven? Are there different "levels" of hell?
No, I contend that all the servants mentioned in this parable are believers. If this is true, this parable only makes sense if the Master doesn't wait until the final judgement. I think this parable talks more about how God comes to us in this life and holds us to account. God is our shepherd. He brings both guidance through leading and correction through the beatings that life gives us. The more we aren't paying attention, the more of a "life beating" God needs to allow happen.
9. How do we know how much God has required of us? Does God demand more from certain people than others?
God requires from us what He called us to do. There's a spiritual war going on. We all have different levels of sensitivity, levels of growth, and abilities that God is going to tailor to our call to action. That call to action will put us closer or further from the front lines. If we are on the front lines, more will be required of us to survive. If we fall asleep on the front lines, the enemy will take full advantage of that. If we fall asleep in a support position, the enemy's best move might be to leave us alone in our sleep.
To keep watch meant to stay alert and awake. It is so easy to get complacent and think, "Nothing is going to happen tonight, I can just take a little nap or have some wine or play dice, (or scroll on my phone ?) and get back to attending to the Master's priorities later. He also talks about the servant beginning to mistreat the other servants, again a sign of not focusing on the master and His business.
ReplyDelete