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Okay we left off with Jesus giving quite the teaching on this life and its concerns verses the afterlife and its value.
He provided a fantastic summary at verse 31 for us, saying:
Luke 12.32-end
Meat
January 12th 2019
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
And we talked about that. At this point He continues and continues to touch on this theme as well as the Kingdom and eschatology and a few other matters so I am going to try and wrap the chapter up today. Let’s read beginning at verse 32 and read through to the end.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
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 goodman 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 menservants 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.
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
Alright, let’s go back to verse 32 and start hacking our way out as Jesus says:
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
We remember that Luke said that the group there was really big – tens of thousands was the Greek, and yet Jesus called them “Little flock.”
Of course, He is the good shepherd over this little flock, but the term is interesting and makes some sense of his word when he said, “strait is the gate and narrow the way and few be there that find it.”
And he tells this little flock that “it is your father’s good pleasure to give them the Kingdom.”
Due to the Greek the Lord has actually told them that their father has already given them this kingdom. How? Of what does the Kingdom consist? Jesus has just talked all about the riches of this world and the cares of it, and has assured them that if their father cares for the ravens and the lilies of the field He certainly cares for them.
So if he cares for them, and has given this little flock the kingdom of what does it consist? The things of which His Kingdom truly consists!
“righteousness, peace, joy, comfort, assurance” even so much that Jesus tells members of this little flock (in Luke 17:21) that the Kingdom of God is within them. THAT is how they already possess it!
And that is how we continue to possess it – from within. And so having reassured them/then (last week) that God their father has provided for the ravens and the lilies and that He will provide for them, Jesus continues and delivers yet another eschatological teaching for them from verses 33-40. And he begins with
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Your father has given you His kingdom, abide in it and trust that he will care for your every need. Now he adds:
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Look at the context of this verse. It clearly tells us how to apply it to ourselves today. If you are a literalist, better comply, right? But the context allows us to remove the literal application from ourselves and has us see the teaching in another light – which for us is more figurative than literal.
To them then, Jesus tells them to sell their property and exchange it for that which could be used in giving to the poor. And listen, this was the stated condition of being a disciples in that age – their property they often surrendered for the sake of giving alms to the poor.
Acts 2:44; 4:32; John 12:6; Act 5:2 all support this practice. A great deal of II Corinthians is dedicated to this same cause. But even in this teaching Jesus appeals to some figurative language saying:
“provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”
The meaning behind this is get for yourselves containers (purses) that will not rot and grow old (which I believe He is referring to the things the heart contains because those things will not fail nor can thieves or moths corrupt them. And he adds:
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This part of the teaching is wrapped in through all that we discussed last week – that they trust that the father would provide them their needs and focus on the kingdom of heaven.
And this is another time where Jesus implores them to redirect their focus and cares, and to look to heavenly treasures and wealth over earthly. WHY?
Because they are members of an eternal kingdom and were going to see and observe an end to the material one around them – a kingdom of temples and priesthoods and a city built in the dust.
Having established this Jesus now steps up and into talking about the coming end of the kingdom where property and possessions had pull. And so he begins to teach them about being prepared. Prepared for what? The coming of the Kingdom of God and the wrapping up of the Kingdom on earth. So he says
35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
First thing – get yourselves dressed appropriately. In that day they wore a long flowing robe as their outer garment and as I mentioned last week, when they labored, or walked, or ran, it was necessary to gird or tie this up by a sash or girdle about the body, that it might not impede their progress. Hence, to gird up the loins means to be ready, to be active, to be diligent.
“And your lights burning.”
Which is an expression that essentially says the same thing – be ready at all times.
He has told them to sell what they have, then he told them to be dressed and ready to rock, and now he tells them to light the burning candles so they can see their every step and obstacle that might get in their way.
This was typically the job of a servant in the masters house, to have all things ready for his arrival and I cannot help but see similarities to them as servants of the Lord.
This is why he adds further at verse 36-37:
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
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.
The imagery here is if they as dutiful watchful and prepared servants will get all things ready for His return that when He arrives he will “gird himself,” instead of them girding themselves as his servants, and He will serve them, making them comfortable and welcome in the Kingdom.
Obviously, this is all a description of the end of that age and both the attitude they ought to have toward that world and the way they ought to prepare themselves prior to his coming or arrival.
But the imagery does not stop there as Jesus adds
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Of course, those who stood watch had different shifts or watches, and Jesus is simply saying those who are true to the duties of their watch would be blessed servants.
Remember, that the coming of Jesus was unfolded in phases or if you will, watches. Matthew 24 describes them. And so in saying this he covers them all. Then he adds at verse 39:
39 And this know, that if the goodman 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.
In other words, if any person knew the hour or close to the hour when a robber would come, they would be ready for him.
So it was with them that while they would not know the EXACT hour, they would know by the signs Jesus provides them that the time was near, and they would be ready and prepared. And we recall that in several places Jesus tells them that he would come suddenly, likening himself to a thief in the night.
So, he adds at verse 40:
40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
In Luke 21:36 Jesus tells them to pray
always, “that they might be accounted worthy to escape those things–the judgments coming upon the wicked–and to stand before the Son of man who would approve of them and admit them into the Kingdom.
Now, just a pause to point out a few things:
Jesus was saying these thing to them -to sell their property etc.
What a cruel trick for Him to prepare this generation of people so emphatically – and to not have any of it happen as He promised. Additionally, what a cruel trick on millions (or perhaps billions) of people who have taken his words and lived by them in modern ages!
Two thousand years of millions of people on high alert, lamps lit, property sold, loins girded – only to never appear. And it is all because people cannot accept the fact that Jesus was true to his word when he said it then, and all of it was fulfilled then.
At this point Peter interjects himself into the conversation and asks (at verse 41):
41 Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
From verses 22-40 Jesus has been addressing the disciples so it makes sense that Peter would be the one to ask the question. Additionally, Luke affirms that what he is reporting is historically derived and that he is not just creating fiction.
Peter seems certain that the Twelve are meant as the recipients of the teaching but he appears to want to know if others are included too.
Peter has interrupted and inserted himself before into situations (like on the Mount of Transfiguration so this is characteristic of him.
By the question, Jesus provides a parabolic reply in verses 42-48.
42 And the Lord said, (in reply to Peter) 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?
The design of this teaching appears to be to show that his disciples should act as if they were each moment expecting his return. He illustrates this in the telling of servants good and bad.
So, in response to Peter’s comment he asks: Who is the faithful and wise steward to whom His Lord would make ruler over his household and reward them with their portion of food in due season?
And then He replies to his own rhetorical question and says
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Pretty self-explanatory. And applicable to them/then. Notice that there is no ambiguity on the context:
“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”
It is a direct reference to Him as Lord when He comes back for them and how those who are doing His will would be blessed.
Of course, we could apply the principle to ourselves today and suggest that blessed is the person who when the Lord takes them home is found doing His will – fine. But the principle is clearly established in that time and to them with reference to His second coming.
And then Jesus says
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
I think that even though this response was directed to Peter the principle remains the same for those who are His by faith and love – they will be appointed over his household, that is the Lords, as a reward.
What this means I do not know but it appears to relate only to His heavenly kingdom. Then Jesus takes it a step further and says (at verse 45)
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
We see that from the heart springs all evil thoughts and from the thoughts spring all evil actions as Jesus describes here a servant, meaning he was put in the position, who in the secrecy of his heart thinks that the Lord was going to DELAY his coming.
When did Jesus have this fictional servant think such thoughts? Then – with them. Anyway, in this thinking the servant then began to display wicked behaviors, who, apparently did not think he was going to be held accountable began to abuse his authority and others around him and gave himself up to carousing and debauchery.
A principle for us? Of course. But the actuality of the event was directly to them. So what does Jesus say will happen to those who are unfaithful in his coming? (verse 46)
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.
Being cut asunder was anciently practiced – sometimes by the sword and sometimes by saws (if you can believe it).
Scripture tells us it was practiced by the Chaldeans, (in Daniel 2:5; 3:29) and among the Hebrews, (2nd Samuel 12:31; 1st Samuel 15:33; 1st Kings 3:25; and Hebrews 11:37).
It was also practiced by the Egyptians and Romans. The evidence that people were cut asunder in 70AD by the invading Roman armies is evident and helps us see that in all probability this cannot be taken literally today for those expecting Jesus to return in the future.
I also do not see the punishment promised as chronologically viable either but specific to them/then as well.
But Jesus continues and adds more to the scene, saying
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.
So not only will that servant be cut asunder (remember, he KNEW the Lord’s will) who failed to prepare himself nor did according to the will of God, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Shall be severely and justly punished.
There are so many things to say about this passage folks. Things that relate to
Punishment for failing to prepare
Punishment for failing to do the will of the Lord
Knowing what to do and failing to do it?
More infliction coming on those who have possessed great insights and responsibilities.
Salvation and what it means by grace?
And on and on and on.
The passages (and the way Jesus describes them) must be taken in that day and age and to whom Jesus is speaking or else there is a huge piece of Christian rhetoric that needs to be totally reconfigured relative to grace.
The next verse helps us see that Jesus is speaking to those who had received great responsibility and knew the score, as he says:
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.
Remember, this was being said to Peter – and I can’t help but believe that the words were primarily intended for him – scary as this seems.
Of course, and as we discussed last week, the Jews never inflicted more than forty stripes for one offence, and for smaller offences they inflicted only four, five, six, &c., according to the nature of the crime.
In allusion to this, our Lord says that he that knew not — that is, he who had comparatively little knowledge of what was expected – would suffer a punishment that was proportionally light. He refers, doubtless, to those who have fewer opportunities, smaller gifts, or fewer teachers.
But he adds, “to whom much is given, much will be required,” which is a direct reflection on the parable of the talents.
At this point Jesus continues to speak to them of His coming and he says something that is pretty wild at verse 49:
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
One of the great truths in scripture is that fire either warms or burns, it either destroys or it purifies, it is either detrimental or beneficial.
Here in verse 49 Jesus PLAINLY says I have come to send fire on earth.
I love this – and see it revealing so much to us about his purpose and mission. To his friends and followers He will warm, illuminate, impassion and rid them of evil. To His foes He will melt, eradicate, consume and expose.
All by the very fire with which He came to set the earth on fire.
This phrase could also have an allusion to what was coming when he returns but it seems to me that the primary meaning had to do with the truth He presented, and how it would affect people in different ways.
But what is really interesting to me about this verse is Jesus essentially says,
“How I wish it was already kindled.”
Of course, we could take this as His desire to cause people pain but to me the point, taking all the other descriptions of Him from scripture, seems to be:
I want to get the ball rolling because in the presence of this fire good will begin, change will prevail and light will consume the darkness in the lives of all concerned. Because he says this I am of the opinion that He is frankly speaking of the end of that age which would be destroyed by fire – and He frankly admits that He wishes it was happening. Verse 50 helps us to see this is what he seems to mean as he now says:
50 But (he says) I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
I wish the fire was here BUT I have a baptism to be baptized with (showing that baptism can come in many forms)
“and how I am straitened until it is accomplished.”
The word straitened means constrained or pressed until it all happens. To me this speaks of him needing to go and complete all the things that His father wanted of Him first. Then he in the next three verses more to the theme of what His coming to the world would do, saying:
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
And in these verses we discover a historicist view that hold water – that the very presence of Jesus, His Gospel, His teachings, and those of His followers – cause division – this cannot be ignored or discounted – even today.
But the divisions cannot, should not ever come by the believers – I am convinced of this. The divisions then and now are a bit different too.
Jesus presence on the scene of Jerusalem was straight up divisive and his description of what it looked like was wholly applicable to that time.
And it continues to be as the moment any person embraces jesus and follows him from a family or group or even the world there is automatic division.
Unfortunately, Christians are often the ones who encourage such division by casting pearls before swine and refusing to use wisdom among the unbelievers but non-believers are just a off-putting and standoffish and too make unity difficult.
But again – this was absolutely the result of Him then. From verses 54 to 56 Jesus speaks to them discerning the signs of the times, and then concludes the chapter by addressing the notion of judges in that day. So to verse 54
54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
In Matthew 16:2, Jesus said something similar when he said:
“When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.”
The whole point is relative to the end times which had accompanied Jesus into his ministry and would carry on into the promised destruction.
I am doing the promised miracles as Isaiah described, the state of things in Judea are all clear indicators no different than the signs in the sky that foretell the weather.
And then he says something that is found in Matthew 5, which we call the sermon on the Mount. It appears to me, in many situations, that Luke is determined to record every word Jesus is said to have said but he sometimes is not so concerned with putting the words in the actual place that they were said.
This seems to be the situation here. In any case, Luke has Jesus say at this point:
57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
In Matthew these little verses are about agree with our adversaries quickly – which is tied to an illustration of the sixth commandment. To be in hostility, to go to law, to be litigious, is a violation of loving neighbor as self .
So what Jesus says here is while you are in the way with your opponent to the magistrate or the judge, settle the damn thing – and you will avoid a world of hurt – which is often the consequence of not being reconciled.
And we are more than half way through Luke.
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