The Kingdom > This Present Life

There are bits in this chapter that we have looked at before:

• The “leaven” of the Pharisees
• Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
• Parts of the Sermon on the Mount

There is a recurring theme through all these various teachings. Jesus repeatedly emphasizes the importance and superiority of the spiritual and eternal over the earthly and temporary.

• Don’t fear those who can kill the body but cannot hurt your soul. Fear the LORD who can destroy the body and cast the soul into hell.
• Confession or denial before men on earth and before God in Heaven
• Life is not in your earthly possessions. Heavenly treasures are better than earthly ones.
• Life is more than food, drink, and clothes. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Don’t worry about physical necessities.
• Keep your ties on earth lite and your ties to heaven strong. Be ready and watching for the Lord’s return.

This is one of the first times Jesus begins to tell stories about a man who goes away and then returns. He will tell several more of these stories in His final months. Now that the cross is getting very close, and the disciples are ready for more, Jesus will begin to speak to them more about the future.

The Messiah coming and then going away again is not on any of their Bingo cards. As far as they know, Jesus is about to lead them into a glorious Messianic Age where He will reign on David’s throne FOREVER.

So when Jesus tells them in Luke 12:35-40 to be like men watching for their lord to return at an unknown hour, Peter is understandably confused.

“Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭41‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So Jesus expounds on the story of the absent lord. If the lord is gone for a LONG time, some of the servants will really misbehave.

😏 If the boss is away… the mice will play.

☝️🤓 I think it’s supposed to be a cat. “If the cat’s away the mice will play.”

🙄 Boss cat, then.

I think the point is that faithful servants will continue to serve the Lord even when He has gone away while the corrupt ones will begin to serve themselves.

And then it gets really uncomfortable…

“And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This is a parable so we need to take it for what it is, an indirect teaching about kingdom reality. And Jesus is saying that the severity of the punishment is based on how much of the masters will the servant knew.

It might be that Jesus is NOT primarily talking about His return, (though it seems to apply), but about the punishment coming soon for the leaders and people of Israel. I think I could make that argument from this text.

They have known for centuries what Yahweh’s will is. They are the only nation on earth to whom God communicated His laws and will. Have they been more like the faithful servant, watching for their Lord to come as the prophets said He would? Or have they been more like the servants who were feasting and getting drunk and treating the other servants harshly?

Jesus is not a short-term ripple or a passing fad or phase. He is an atomic bomb about to go off and forever change all of history. The clock is ticking for Israel to accept Him as their Messiah. Things are NEVER going “back to normal.” Things are not going to settle down and be peaceful again.

“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!”

“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭49‬, ‭51‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It’s time for all of the people listening to Jesus to choose the eternal Kingdom over their own temporary earthly comfort. Those who follow Jesus and those who don’t are all about to face some very difficult times.

In less than 50 years, Jerusalem will be absolutely leveled by the Roman Legion. They will spare no one. It will be every bit as brutal as anything Nebuchadnezzar did. This is Israel’s time. And the window for repentance is closing. The prophetic storm is on the horizon. But they’re only able to read earthly weather signs.

I’d say we’re in just about the identical situation right now. The middle of persecution is NOT the time to decide how far you will go for Jesus. You have to lay down your life NOW so that whether you face a mild inconvenience or torture and death, you have already made that decision.

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back

No turning back

It would be a good idea to stay VERY close to Jesus and pray for the ability to discern the times and the prophetic weather forecast.