37. BLESSED are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching; verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
38. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39. And this know, that if the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
40. Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
41. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
42. And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the men servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46. The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
(Memorize verses 37, 38.)
Golden Text: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 5: 18.
NOTE.—The whole of Luke 12 is instruction in watchfulness, and for faith in the promises of God and his power to do for his children. Texts giving similar instruction to that of the present lesson scripture are Matt. 24: 37-51; Mark 13: 28-37; Luke 21: 34-36, also the parables in Matt. 25: 1-13, 14-23. The golden text is selected for a special application of the lesson to temperance, as brought to view in verse 45, if so desired.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Upon whom is a blessing pronounced? Verse 37. (2) What will the lord of those servants do? Same verse. (3) At what times might the lord come, and what would be the attitude of good servants? Verse 38. Note 1. (4) By what other figure is the lesson on watching impressed? Verse 39. (5) What important application did Jesus make from these parables? Verse 40. Note 2. (6) What question did Peter ask? Verse 41. (7) In answer, what parable did the Lord introduce? Verse 42. (8) What honor would fall to the faithful steward? Verses 43, 44. (9) On the other hand, what might the servant say and do? Verse 45. Note 3. (10) Consequently what would happen to him? Verses 46, 47. (11) What would be the punishment of him who knew not? Verse 48. (12) What principle did the Lord state? Same verse. Note 4.
NOTES.
1. THE lesson designed to be taught by this parable, and which should be learned by every follower of Christ, is constant faithfulness. In fact, there can be nothing short of constancy in complete fidelity. The watching is a duty, not a labor of curiosity or fear; hence an honest servant will, from a sense of obligation to his master or employer, occupy himself with what he is expected to do, tho the master may be absent. This is emphasized by the blessing pronounced in verse 38.
2. THE all-important event to every man is the coming of the Lord, and to be constantly living as in view of that event is the chief lesson of the Lord’s instruction at this time. Yet in order to be spiritually prepared for that coming, daily faithfulness in every duty, however small, is necessary for the perfection of character. The coming of the Lord, that is, his second coming at the end of the world, and the attendant resurrection of the righteous dead and the translation of the righteous living, has been the hope of the Christian and the godly since the fall. But the time of that coming is not definitely revealed in the word of God, hence the great need of constant watchfulness, of constant attention to development of character, that there may be readiness to meet the Lord when he does come. But not all may expect to be living at that time, tho it is near. Then does the Lord come to such at death?—Not at all, in view of the Scripture teaching. The dead know not anything (Eccl. 9: 5, 6; Ps. 146: 3, 4), but sleep in the grave until the resurrection (Ps. 13: 3; 1 Cor. 15: 51-55; 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17); so, even in an accommodated sense, in which way it is doubtless often used, such a statement is liable to convey a wrong understanding of the Lord’s coming. But it is at once evident that all watching or preparation for that event ceases for the individual that dies, and his life record must stand for judgment, as tho he had lived to see that coming. See 2 Tim. 4: 1. In view of the uncertainty of life, how important then that every moment should be a moment of watching, or its equivalent, character building and faithful attendance to duty. Note that the day of the Lord comes as a thief, that is, as a thief comes,—unexpectedly. See 2 Peter 3: 10; 1 Thess. 5: 2. It comes thus to the wicked world, to those that cry “Peace and safety” (1 Thess. 5: 3), and, “My Lord delayeth his coming” (Luke 12: 45). Although the day and the hour are not revealed to the righteous (Matt. 24: 36), yet, as the parable shows, they will be ready. Again it is said that there are many comings of the Lord, as at conversion, in trials, at crises in life. The Lord is ever near by his Spirit, ready to come into the heart if we will let him. He is ever near to help in every time of need, but these can not be called the “coming” of the Lord. See John 16: 7. The “coming” of the Lord as used in the Scriptures has reference alone to a particular event, which we have been considering. This “coming” is his personal coming. See John 14: 1; Acts 1: 11. The Lord does “come” to us at these times by the Holy Spirit. But the reality of the one event of such importance should never be detracted from by even a form of words which may introduce erroneous ideas.
3. THIS is the attitude of the world at large, and even of many who have charge of the Lord’s heritage. Selfishness and the pleasures that this world can give prevail, and license is taken to eat and drink, and lord it over others. The excuse is that the coming of the Lord is a long way off. As illustrating this point, the Lord had just given the parable of the rich man. See verses 15-21. A gratification of carnal desires will always deaden the sense of spiritual things.
4. IN the last statement the Lord answered Peter’s query, showing that of the ministers and representatives of Christ,—those who are expected to know of his teachings and his purposes,—will the most be required. Their responsibility is great, for to a large degree they will mold those under their charge. The first portion of the Lord’s instruction (verses 32-38) shows that all are included. The light is for all, and “lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1: 9. Hence all will be held responsible according to their opportunities and the uses made of them.
