Now That You Know

Kenzie, on the right, is taller than Alice, on the left.
This is an optical illusion, but you know the truth.
What will we do with the truth we know?

Scripture:

Luke 12:41   Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?” ⁴² And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? ⁴³ Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. ⁴⁴ Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁵ But if that slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, ⁴⁶ the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. ⁴⁷ That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. ⁴⁸ But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

Observation:

As we’ve been on this journey through Luke we’ve discovered that most of the material is focused on making disciples. The inner circle is often the intended audience, even if a crowd is present. At this moment Peter asked for clarification, for he wanted to know if Jesus was talking to everyone, or specifically to his disciples. 

Jesus began by sharing his parable about the prudent manager. He was preparing the disciples for leadership in his absence and he wanted them to understand the weight of this responsibility. They were to be good stewards of all that they had learned and were to work hard in Jesus’ absence. 

Remember, this was in response to Peter’s question and Jesus used the common understanding of a Roman household as an illustration. A household manager, whether slave or free could be raised up to a very high position of responsibility. Think of Joseph in Egypt. The responsible leader would not be discouraged by the delay in the Master’s return. The good disciple would lovingly care for those in his or her service, and would never use or abuse any person. They were not to become gluttonous, nor were they to become drinkers. They were to remain in good shape, always alert, and prepared for the return of the Master. 

There is punishment for those whom God has placed into leadership and do not serve well. Jesus, through his teachings, had made clear the expectations of leadership, and because they had spent so much time with Jesus, and knew the demands of discipleship well, they needed to be faithful. Neale tells us:

Knowledge of the master’s will carries with it the responsibility to act accordingly. Knowledge equals responsibility. The saying seems particularly appropriate for Peter and the disciples, who know Jesus’ identity (10:21–24). Thus the summative saying: From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (12:48). Disciples will be held to account for what they have been privileged to observe (NBBC).

Application:

This passage demonstrates why the failure of ministers to live up to their calling has disastrous consequences. Ministers are supposed to know better, and therefore there is a severe punishment that awaits him/her. The statement is fascinating, for Jesus suggests that the leader knows what the Master wants and therefore is to prepare him/herself and do the work asked for by the Master. 

Now that you know the responsibility, you understand that you are called to preparation. Far too many are looking for the easy road to ministerial preparation. Now, the simplest path may be the right one for some, but we need others who are willing to pay the price for an education, both formal and informal, to become the very best that Jesus needs them to be. When I say formal and informal, I am very serious about this. Good formal education can provide a foundation on which everything can be built. At the same time, we need to be looking for the best places where we can get hands-on training for ministry. Jesus taught his disciples often, but he brought them along to participate in his mission, and this was the informal training which became invaluable. My evangelism professor in Seminary used to say that evangelism is “better caught than taught.” There’s much truth to this, and we must invest in preparation. 

Jesus leaves us with expectations for leaders. He lays out what it means to be a faithful steward in the kingdom of God. This may be lay persons or ministers. Jesus has expectations for all of those who have heard the good news and are therefore to be stewards. For those who have been raised in the church and have been taught the truths of God since their childhood, there is a great responsibility. Far too many have been shirking that which they have known and have gone their own way. They are busy eating and drinking, enjoying the things the world has to offer, instead of caring for the Master’s work. 

Now that you know, you are to work diligently with the knowledge you have received. We are all called to be faithful disciples and therefore, good stewards. Because we know, much is demanded of us. 

Prayer:

Lord, I have been blessed to know you, and study much about you. Please, help me be faithful with all that you have given to me. Amen.