by H. H. Snell
Luke 12LUK 12
In meditating on our Lord's discourses in the gospels, we should remember that He said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished." Luke 12:5050But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (Luke 12:50). That is, He could not then bring out the full truth, because His death and resurrection had not been accomplished. He was straitened. This is why the coming of the Lord as our hope could not be so distinctly set forth as it was afterward in the epistles. There we find the distinction made between the coming of our Lord for us, and the revelation or appearing of our Lord when we come out of heaven and reign with Him. This could not be made known till the nation of Israel under the law had rejected their Messiah, and came under God's judicial dealings.
Now that we have the instruction of the epistles, we can go back and trace, in the parable of the virgins and in the beginning of our Lord's farewell discourse, an allusion to His coming for us, when only those who are truly His will be caught up.
In Luke 12 after the Lord had spoken much about His coming, Peter said: "Lord, speakest Thou this parable unto us, or even to all?" And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household?" (vv. 41, 42). Knowing full well that He would be rejected, His coming for us was anticipated by Him. This shows also that the great thing our Lord looks for now is caring for His household during His absence.
This question of Peter's also reminds us of our Lord so kindly allowing Himself to be interrupted by questions to which He graciously replied, and then resumed His discourse. In the end of John 13 and 14 our Lord was interrupted by Peter, Thomas, Philip and Jude asking questions, each of which He at once answered. We see the same in our chapter. The Lord began by addressing His "disciples" in the presence of a multitude of people; then, in verse 13, "one of the company" asked Him to speak to his brother about dividing the inheritance with him. The Lord's reply to this extended to the end of verse 21, when He again addressed His "disciples." It is sweet to trace these gracious ways of our adorable Lord!
Little Flock
His disciples were a "little flock." They were few indeed when compared with the multitudes of professed people of God, but they were not to fear. They would have the kingdom, which now is in postponement. This will be enjoyed by those whom the disciples here set forth as having received the Messiah with the hope of His reigning in Mount Zion. It will be their Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom (v. 32).
It need scarcely be added that those who form the Church, the body of Christ, hope for a heavenly inheritance, and to reign with Him as His heavenly people. The state of our heart is the all-searching question now. For "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Till He comes He would have us watching and serving.
From this touching discourse we learn that it is our Lord's mind that we should be girded servants. "Let your loins be girded about," always ready to be sent here or there, as He may direct. In many large businesses there are men ready to carry out any emergency their employer commands. "Be ye therefore ready also." The loins being girded indicated they were prepared. The flowing garments of those days, folded up and tucked round the waist, showed they were ready for hill or dale, or even a path of thorns and briers. A girded servant is one ready to go, and waiting to be told when and where. May we truly be girded servants.
Shining Servants
We should also be shining servants—"your lights burning." Instead of their lamps going out, they are well supplied with oil, trimmed and burning brightly. This implies dependence, faith, communion with Christ, and the Spirit ungrieved by our walk. There will also be unsparing self-judgment. John was spoken of by our Lord as "a burning and a shining light." Such should we be, as the Apostle so pointedly instructs us: "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life." Phil. 2:15, 1615That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:15‑16). We should then be shining servants. Our light should shine before men, and will do so if we are abiding in our Lord Jesus. "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Eph. 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8).
Waiting Servants
As "men that wait for their lord," so should we be waiting servants. The servants should be looking for their master's return during the night. They do not know when, but they wait. They do not go elsewhere, but wait. They do not retire to rest, but simply wait, so that they may open the door as soon as they hear the knock. Our Lord Jesus would have us to be waiting servants, momentarily expecting His coming.
Watching Servants
Our Lord would not only have us waiting, but watching for His coming. He looks for watching servants. As the night becomes far spent, and watch after watch passes, such know it cannot be long before the Master will come. They listen with increasing watchfulness. Such are watching servants, and such our Lord highly commends. He says, "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." Can anything exceed this testimony of our Lord concerning the servants whom He finds watching? Do we lay it on our consciences as we ought? Is it because it suits His loving heart that we wait and watch?
It surely cannot be long before we shall actually see His face, and be with Him forever. Our Lord, therefore, added, "If he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants." How pleasing, then, to Him is the watching servant!
The Watches
Regarding the various watches, we know that the first watch was from six to nine o'clock, the second watch from nine to twelve (midnight), the third watch from midnight to three in the morning, and the fourth watch from three to six in the morning. Now it is certain that the first and second watches have both passed, for we read in the parable of the virgins that "at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." Matt. 25:66And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (Matthew 25:6). It is a fact that over one hundred years ago, this cry did go forth. Since then it has extended to almost every part of the civilized world and in a way, too, that has not been known since the days of the apostles.
In Paul's day, believers turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven. But according to our Lord's prophetic word, "while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." So that as regards the watches, we are now in the third watch, and that watch considerably advanced. We say we are in some part of the third watch because in the fourth watch our Lord will come to His ancient people (Israel) as their great Deliverer.
There is a beautiful illustration of this in Matt. 14. Our Lord was in the mountain praying. His position there answers to His present place of ministry in heaven. At the fourth watch of the night His earthly people are in a great trouble and danger, and He meets them in their deep distress. Jesus reveals Himself as their Deliverer, so that when He came into the ship the wind ceased. They worshipped Him as Son of God, for the people of Israel will know Him by and by as "Son of God" and "King of Israel.”
If, then, we are in the third watch of the night, and it is far advanced, and He is coming to bless Israel in the fourth watch (and it is clear that we shall be taken up to meet the Lord in the air before He delivers Israel, for then we shall come out of heaven with Him), it certainly can only be a very little while before He that shall come will come, and will not delay.
Faithful and Wise Servants
At this present time our Lord also looks for faithful and wise servants, because not only has He set us in a position to wait and watch, but He has also given us talents to use for Him. He has given us grace to minister to others and thus made us stewards. So our Lord added, "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? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath." Luke 12:42-4442And 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? 43Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. (Luke 12:42‑44).
It is scarcely possible that language could convey more strikingly our Lord's approval of servants who care for His saints during His absence. It is faithfulness to Him to use for the benefit of His household the talents He has given us. It is also the path of wisdom, because it lays up treasure in heaven. To give seasonable aid to those who form "His household" during His absence is what distinguishes true from false profession of His name.
Longing Servants
Besides all this, we know from another scripture that the Holy Spirit would have us to be longing servants. Not only girded, shining, waiting and watching, faithful and wise servants, but ardently desiring His coming. "The Spirit and the bride say, Come." When the Lord presents Himself as "the bright and morning star," saying, "Surely, I come quickly," what should be the effect on our souls but the hearty response, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus"? Few subjects are more solemn, and none more eminently sanctifying. For he that "hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." May we be so taken up with our precious Savior where He is, that our constant cry may be, "Come, Lord Jesus.”
Evil Servants
There is another very solemn word added by our Lord. It is about the evil servant. He is fundamental enough perhaps in his views, and full of scripture truth, but in heart (oh, how appalling!) putting off the Lord's coming. He said in his heart, "My lord delayeth his coming," and as a result he began to beat the men-servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken. With all his profession he loved not, because he had not tasted the love of Christ. His portion, then, when judgment comes, must be with the unbelievers.
We may be sure that our Lord is not delaying. Everything needful to be accomplished before He comes is going on in perfect harmony with all the attributes and counsels of God, while His long-suffering toward this evil world will be to His eternal praise and glory. His unchanging desire while on the Father's throne is to have us with Him where He is, to behold His glory, and share with Himself the inheritance and the glory which the Father has given Him (John 17:2424Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)). What infinite love to us! Are we watching and serving?