Psalm 8:1
My Shepherd met me in His green pastures this morning and laid me down in Luke 12. I suggest you read the chapter giving attention to the shifts in audience: What He said “unto his disciples first of all” (12:1), what He said to “one in the company,” and his “brother” (12:13), again, what He “said unto his disciples” (12:22), and His answer to Peter’s question that He gave to all His disciples (12:41-53), and, finally, what “he said also to the people” (12:54-59).
The entire chapter captured my fascination, beginning with the witness of the Spirit that “an innumerable multitude of people,” gathered to HIm (Luke 12:1), the fact that He referred to the “leaven of the Pharisees” as their hypocrisy whereas in Matthew 16:11 He identified their leaven with their doctrine (see Homicide By Hypocrite—Job 34:30; Proverbs 11:9, and A Corn of Wheat Fell—Matthew 16:11; Mark 8:15).
He promised to expose the hypocrite (Luke 12:2-3), and appealed to His disciples as “my friends,” exhorting them not to fear those who might kill the body, but fear Him who can destroy both (Luke 12:4-5), and His tender assurances of the Father’s attention to our concerns (Luke 12:6-7). After this, consider His exhortation not to fear men, but to trust God, as well as His clarifying statement regarding what He expects of His disciples who follow Him in His mission (Luke 12:8-12, 22-40). Finally, He addresses the people at large and returns to His warning against the power of hypocrisy to blind and ensnare us (Luke 12:54-59; see Luke 12:1).
Along the still waters, I reflected on this portion of His green pasture. The entire chapter engrossed me, but the section that drew my very particular attention was 12:41-48, and the place where the Mind of the Spirit connected with the spirit of my mind was verse 42:
Luke 12:42 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?
There are two categories of servants: the one found faithful and wise, who, upon his Lord’s return, is found feeding the household of God “meat in due season” (Luke 12:42-43). This servant will be elevated to be “ruler over all that he hath” (Luke 12:44). The second category of servant becomes cynical concerning imminency, turns his attention from preparing himself and the people for his Lord’s return, and instead becomes focused on preying on the people, feeding himself instead of the flock (Luke 12:45). That servant will be surprised at the coming of his Lord, and will be “cut … in sunder” (severely flogged) and will be appointed his share with the unbelievers (Luke 12:46). The first is characterized by watching over the flock, providing and praying, the second by watching the flock and preying.
There are two subdivisions of the second category: those who know better and those who are ignorant of their LORD’s will (Luke 12:47-48a). Those who knew their Lord’s will but ignored His Lord and served themselves will be beaten (scourged) with many stripes (Luke 12:47b). The servant who did not know his Lord’s will and followed the example of the defiant and cynical servant will be flogged, or scourged, with a few stripes (Luke 12:48).
It appears Jesus applies the principle, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required,” to these servants who did not do the will of their Master. For those who were given the knowledge of His will are those given much, and those who did not know their Lord’s will were given little. But both were given the honor of serving the Household of God. James said, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1).
The servant who squables over whether or not being given their “portion with the unbelievers” refers to being sent into the Lake of Fire with the unbelievers (Luke 13:27; in the manner of Matthew 25:41), or being banished to regions of darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30), misses the point entirely. Would these be content to be numbered with and beaten with the unfaithful servants if only they didn’t need to fear eternal banishment in hell’s fire? It seems to me any such are of that spirit of delusion afflicting the many who will, in the day of His appearing, hear “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23; 2 Timothy 2:19). What servant is this? Who says I’m content to be numbered with those worthy of stripes so long as it does not mean my soul will be cast off?
In the valley, kneeling in the shadow of His Cross, I quaked. I perceive in the rebellious servant not the spirit that hears and heeds His Lord’s call: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I clung to Calvary’s Cross, and vowed to make it my own: “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:10) and “buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-4; the baptism by the Spirit into Christ—Galatians 3:27 with 1 Corinthians 12:13). And the Spirit responded: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” where we have been raised, and “made … to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Wow!
At the table, He sat beside me, anointed my head with His oil, filled my cup with His grace, and nodded to goodness and mercy to follow us into the harvest.
Praying He returns to find me tending to His household as a faithful servant.
Praying for revival! 🙏
Going live asap:
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