GOSPEL READING:
Luke 12:39-4839 But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour." 41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" 42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, `My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating. 48 But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.
Meditation: What lesson can we draw from Jesus' parable
about a thief in the night and the parable of the rich master who
returns unexpectedly to reward or dismiss his servants for how
they have served his estate while he was away? Both parables
confront us with the possibility of losing everything we possess
and treasure now as well as the future inheritance that is
saved up for us.
The thief in the night
Jesus' story (parable) of the thief in the night brings home the
necessity for careful watchfulness and staying alert to avert the
danger of plunder and loss of livelhood (all that we need to
sustain us now and in the future). The thief comes uninvited,
especially under the cover of darkness and secrecy! While no thief
would announce his intention in advance, nor the time when he
would strike, lack of vigilance invites serious loss for those who
have not kept their home and treasure secure at all times! The
intruder strikes when he is least expected!
Don't lose the treasure of God's kingdom
What kind of treasure does the Lord Jesus expect us to vigilantly
guard and protect in this present life? It is the treasure of his
kingdom and the gifts and graces he has won for us - the gift of
salvation purchased by the blood of Christ who died for us on the
cross to free us from slavery to sin and Satan, and the gift of
abundant new life which Christ won for us through his resurection
victory over death, and the gift of the Holy Spirit who comes to
live in us and empower us with supernatural faith, hope, and love
that endure forever. The Father and the Son come to dwell in us
through the gift of the Holy Spirit who makes his home with us.
But we can lose the treasure and gifts of God if we do not guard
our hearts and minds and hold to the truth of God's word and live
according to his wise precepts, teaching, and just laws. Whose
voice and counsel do you trust and follow?
Satan comes like a thief in the night to rob us of our faith and
to draw us away from God's will for our lives. Satan works in the
"world" (that society of men and women who are opposed to God and
his commandments) and with our own "flesh" (those sinful
inclinations within us that tempt us to do what is wrong and
evil). And Satan wispers to us false promises to make us believe
that we can find happiness and joy apart from God and his will for
us.
The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that our hearts apart from God
are easily deceived (Jeremiah 17:9). How easily we put off for
another day what God requires of us today - to walk humbly, repent
sincerely, forgive quickly, and to trust in his merciful love and
grace at all times. God offers us his mercy and abundant grace
(his divine presence, power, and wise counsel) to turn away from
sin, deception, and disobedience. But we must not presume that we
can put off for another day what must be done today.
The Lord Jesus reminds us that the "Day of the Lord" will come
unexpectedly like a thief in the night. Will we be ready to
receive the Lord when he comes to speak to us today, and when he
ushers us to stand before his throne and meet him face-to-face to
hear his final verdict on the Day of Judgment. Which verdict do
you wish to hear? In Matthew's Gospel account, Jesus opens the
curtain of the heavenly court room and gives a glimpse of his
verdict on that day:
34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' ...41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' - Matthew 25:34-36, 41-43
The Lord rewards those who are faithful and wise
Jesus ends his teaching on watchfulness and vigilance with another
parable about a master and his servants (Matthew 24:.45-49). The
storyline is similar. There is an element of surprise - the master
suddenly returns home unexpectedly, probably from a long journey.
He rewards one servant for his faithful loyalty and devoted
service to his master. He has performed his service dutifully and
has done all that the master required of him.
He punishes the other servant who was disloyal, disobedient, and
acted shamefully. This servant was not only irresponsible - he was
frequently absent from his work and misused his master's money for
personal gain by throwing lavish parties (eating and drinking) for
his friends. The disloyal servant also abused his fellow workers
with physical force and violence - probably to make them do the work
he was supposed to do for his master. When the master returns and
discovers the unfaithful servant who has wasted his master's goods
and mistreated his fellow servants, the master gives him what he
deserves. He dismisses him from his service and throws him out of
his house - and sends him to the worst of possible places - a prison
of no return where there is nothing but torment and misery. Should
we be surprised to see the master acting with such swift judgment?
The master rewards his faithful servants with honor, blessing, and
promotion in his service, and he gives to his disobedient and
unfaithful servants the just punishment they deserve - the loss of
honor, privilege, and joy of sharing in the master's good friendship
forever.
Are you ready to meet the Lord?
The Lord Jesus calls us to be vigilant in watching for his return
and to be ready to meet him when he calls us to himself. The Lord
gives us his Holy Spirit so that we may have the wisdom, strength,
and help we need to turn away from own sin and to embrace God's
way of love, justice, and holiness. The Lord's warning of judgment
causes dismay for those who are unprepared, but it brings joyful
hope to those who eagerly wait for his return in glory. God's
judgment is good news for those who are ready to meet him face to
face when he returns. Their reward is God himself, the source of
all truth, beauty, goodness, love and everlasting life. Are you
ready to receive his grace and help today to walk in faithfulness
and obedience, trust and hope, steadfast love and mercy?
Lord Jesus, you have captured my heart for you. Make me strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and generous in love that I may seek to please you in all things and bring you glory. May I always be watchful and ready to answer when you draw near.
Psalm 124:1-8
1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say --
2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: God's great promise for faithful and wise servants, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"'Blessed is the servant whom the Lord will find so doing when he
comes. A great promise is extended to the Lord's faithful and wise
stewards. It is like the promise he made to those to whom he said,
'Take authority over five cities' or 'take authority over ten
cities' (Luke 19:17-19). For to be made the head 'over all his
possessions' is nothing other than to be made an 'heir of God and
coheir with Christ' (Romans 8:17) and to reign with Christ. The
Father has given him everything he himself possesses, as Christ
said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me'
(Matthew 28:18). The Son of the good Father who is given authority
over all his Father's possessions also shares this honor and glory
with his faithful and wise stewards, so they also might be with
Christ above every creature and authority. This is what he meant
when he said, 'Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his
possessions.'" (excerpt from the COMMENTARY
ON MATTHEW 62)
