DAY #115: Luke 12:41-59

This passage begins by Peter questioning Jesus about what their roles would be in comparison with the crowds in general. Jesus answered Peter’s question with another question that focused the disciples’ attention on what it meant to be put in charge, and what their roles should be as leaders. They should be like a faithful, sensible servant, left in charge by the master. In this story, there is one faithful servant and three unfaithful ones.

The master is Jesus, who would leave his servants in his household (the earth) to serve while he would be gone. All the servants must work, although some are given more responsibility and thus more accountability. Those servants who have done a good job when the master returns will have a reward and be given more responsibility.

However, with the master gone, a slave might think to himself that he can do as he likes, taking advantage of his position of authority. The master would return unannounced, catch him in the act, and banish him for being irresponsible to his task in the master’s absence. The words with the unfaithful probably pictures the end-time judgment, wherein the faithful enter God’s Kingdom and the unfaithful are sent away.

Those who fail to do their duty can expect punishment. More responsibility, and thus more severe punishment, however, will come to those who knew their duty but refused to do it. Those who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Each person is responsible to seek out God’s will and to obey; however, God will demand more from those who have been given many gifts and entrusted with much responsibility for the Kingdom.

Clearly, leadership in God’s Kingdom—no matter how small or large one’s responsibilities in comparison to others—is taken very seriously by God. Those placed in positions where they will guide, influence, and care for others have been given much, and therefore much more is required for their moral, spiritual, and ethical lives. They must show themselves to be examples and must stay close to the Lord so he can guide them. Their responsibilities involve the eternal destinies of others—a job description that should cause them to be ever vigilant and watchful of God’s will.

With the signs of the Kingdom around them and as Jesus stood among them, he asked his listeners, “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?” Why weren’t they taking advantage of this opportunity to make peace with God? They ought to do so, for waiting could be disastrous, just as the man on his way to court would be wise to settle the matter beforehand. In Jesus’ day, a person who couldn’t pay a debt would be thrown in jail. How much better to attempt to settle the matter on the way to court (under Roman law, the plaintiff went with the defendant to court) than to wait for the judge’s verdict to be handed down. God’s judgment is irreversible. Each person must decide what to do about Jesus. That decision should be made now.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, I am reminded that you are looking for men and women who will be faithful to the charge given them. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 says - “I CHARGE you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus… be ready to spread the word whether the time is right or not."

Lord, I pray that You would find me faithful today - everyday. Give me a heart today to be about Your business. Give me a heart to put Your priorities ahead of mine. Give me a heart to put KINGDOM things ahead of earthly things.

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)

Give the people of COV this same heart. Help them Lord. Walk with them. Give them courage and strength to choose You over their own personal comfort. Give them a willingness to choose service as a way of life over security. And Lord, give them a heart to choose sacrifice over selfishness.