Luke 12, Part Two

Be ready for His coming (vs. 35-48)—Proper priorities—which was largely the subject Jesus had just been discussing—certainly means a proper mindset when it comes to the Second Coming of Christ. Always be prepared so that, when He comes, you’ll be ready (vs. 35-36). Jesus uses the figure, all through this section, of a master and servants. If the servants are waiting (working) when the master arrives, they will be “blessed” (v. 37), and he will even “serve them,” an allusion to the wonderful joys that God has prepared for those who have honored Him in this life. Whenever he comes, “in the second watch, or…in the third watch,” they will be “blessed” if they are found diligent (v. 38). The idea, of course, is that we don’t know when He will return. The same idea is found in verse 39 of the householder knowing what hour a thief might come. He doesn’t know, so “you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (v. 40). Peter was a bit confused. “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?" (v. 41). The Lord doesn’t directly answer him, but largely repeats what He has just said. “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (v. 43). The implication would be anyone, not just the apostles, who were servants of the master. Verses 45-46 have a warning against the “servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming’” (v. 45). Such a servant will be found wanting when the master comes, “on a day when he is not looking for him” (v. 46), and “will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” Always be ready is the message, for we simply do not know when the Lord will return. Verses 47 and 48 have long been used to indicate degrees of punishment, and I think rightly so. The servant who knows the master’s will but doesn’t do it “shall be beaten with many stripes,” (v. 47), but those who “who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few.” With greater knowledge comes greater responsibility (v. 48). I’m not so sure that this indicates different “levels” of hell, as in Dante’s Inferno. Those who knew they had a chance at heaven but rejected it are going to suffer more because of that knowledge. And indeed, I think there will be people who will enjoy heaven more than others simply because they have a greater appreciation of what the Lord has done for them. These are matters of which we cannot know with certainty and we should let God work them out as He sees fit. Let us be ready for eternity; that should be our main goal.

Christ brings division (vs. 49-53)—“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division” (v. 51). There is, of course, a sense in which Christ does bring peace. Those who live in harmony with God’s word will truly have peace in their hearts and with Him. But Jesus’ teaching is opposed by many, many people, and will divide households right down the middle (vs. 52-53). This is sad, but is certainly evident in many places. Because of this opposition, yea, because of it, Jesus Himself would suffer (v. 50). But He was certainly ready for His word to spread, even though it would bring “fire on the earth” (v 49).

Signs of the times (vs. 54-59)—Those of His day should have known Who He was. The Old Testament is replete with references to Him, plenty of “signs” of His first coming. Yet most in His day were ignorant. They could read the weather, but they couldn’t read their own book! (vs. 54-56). Make the proper decision, judge what is right, or suffer the consequences (vs. 57-59).