The Ministry Continues ~ Part 13
We continue our study of The Ministry Continues, beginning in Luke 12:35.
You Must Be Ready
Yeshua encourages His talmidim to remain faithful to Him and ready for His return.
35 “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit, 36 like people waiting for their master’s return after a wedding feast; so that when he comes and knocks, they will open the door for him without delay.
It possibly alludes to the sumptuous meal that was expected to accompany the start of the era inaugurated by the Messiah (see Rev 19:6–9; compare Luke 14:15; 22:29–30; Isa 25:6–8; 55:1–2).
37 Happy the slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes! Yes! I tell you, he will put on his work clothes, seat them at the table, and come serve them Himself!
Come serve them Himself describes the master serving his slaves – an unusual role reversal (compare Luke 13:30; John 13:1–20).
38 Whether it is late at night or early in the morning if this is how He finds them, those slaves are happy. 39 “But notice this: no house-owner would let his house be broken into if he knew when the thief was coming. 40 You too, be ready! For the Son of Man will come when you are not expecting Him.”
This is a reference to Yeshua’s return (compare Luke 9:26). The title Son of Man is associated with divine judgment on the Day of the Lord (see Mattityahu 8:20).
Exhortation to Watchfulness
Kefa asks Yeshua to clarify whether His remarks about the master’s return are addressed to the entire crowd or only to the Twelve.
41 Kefa said, “Sir, are you telling this parable for our benefit only or for everyone’s?” 42 The Lord replied, “Who is the faithful and sensible manager whose master puts him in charge of the household staff to give them their share of food at the proper time?
Yeshua responds to Kefa’s question with a parable hinting at the role the Emissaries will play after His ascension (compare Acts 1:8; 20:28).
43 It will go well with that servant if he is found doing his job when his master comes. 44 Yes, I tell you, he will put him in charge of all he owns. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking His time coming,’ and starts bullying the men- and women-servants, and eating and drinking, getting drunk,
They were perhaps anticipating a lengthy interval before Yeshua’s return.
46 then his master will come on a day when the servant isn’t expecting him, at a time he doesn’t know in advance; his master will cut him in two and put him with the disloyal. 47 Now, the servant who knew what his master wanted but didn’t prepare or act according to his will, will be whipped with many lashes; 48 however, the one who did what deserves a beating, but didn’t know, will receive few lashes. From him who has been given much, much will be demanded—from someone to whom people entrust much, they ask still more. ~ Luke 12-35-48
In our next post, we will pick back up in Luke 12:49.
My Heart is for Israel 