Verse 45. "Who then is a faithful and wise servant [bondservant], whom his lord hath made ruler over [set over] his household, to give them meat [food] in due season?”
THIS fourth parable relates to the present dispensation alone, and is occupied with those who own the lordship of Christ, and profess to serve Him whether in truth, or in profession only. First, it is the faithful and wise servant whom the Lord is speaking of as acting in fidelity to Christ, and with wisdom, or prudence, in his affairs. Who, then, is he? The question is asked for conscience to give the reply. He is "set over" the Lord's household. But who has set him? He received his authority, not from man, nor even from his fellow-servants; he is not his own, he is bought with a price; his own Lord, whose he is and whom he serves, has put him in this place of influence and responsibility. He rules as one who is himself under authority. One is his Master, even Christ; He who openeth, and no man shutteth. The servant must rule, not as a lord over God's heritage, but as an ensample to the flock.
He has this place assigned to him, not for his own private interest, but for the edification, nourishment, and prosperity of the household; and that which he ministers must be food in season-meat for babes, and strong meat for those of riper years; comfort in affliction, direction in perplexity, warning in danger, instruction in righteousness, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever the Lord hath commanded.
Verses 46, 47. "Blessed is that servant [bondservant] whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily, I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler [set him over] all his goods.”
When the Lord Jesus left His household, at the beginning, the next event to be expected was His return. His language was, "I go to prepare a place for you. And. . .I come again." “Occupy till I come." He gave to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch, with the assurance," Surely I come quickly," and," Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching.”
Diligence in labor, fidelity in service, and a watchful desire and expectation of the Lord's return, during the whole period of His absence, will doubtless have its due reward, even though the servants may fall asleep before His return. But who can describe the blessedness of that servant whom his Lord, when He actually comes, shall find doing His will and waiting for His return?
“Oh, happy servant he,
In such a posture found;
He shall his Lord with rapture see,
And be with honor crowned.”
It is probable that the Thessalonians who were waiting for the Son of God from heaven, when they saw some of their company fall asleep, may have thought that their brethren had lost the special blessing here promised, and hence the consolation that the apostle gave them, that "the dead in Christ" would anticipate those that are "alive and remain," in the first resurrection.
“Verily, I say unto you, that He shall set him over all his goods." All who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb are made kings and priests unto God, and shall share the Redeemer's kingdom (Rev. 1:66And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6)).
But there is a connection between fidelity in service here and the position which will be occupied in the glory. Among the twelve patriarchs it was Joseph who had been faithful in his father's house, and in the house of his Egyptian master, and in the prison, who was set over Pharaoh's house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. It is to the overcomer that special promises are made, and his reward will be in proportion to his fidelity and diligence. There is authority over five cities to one, and authority over ten to another.
The Lord Jesus, when He comes, will be glorified in His saints (those of the former dispensation), and also admired in all them that believe (of the present dispensation), "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory." For He shall come, and all His saints with Him; but "They that are wise [make wise] shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars, forever and ever." And yet, "One star differeth from another star in glory.”
Verses 48-55. " But, and if that evil servant [bondservant] shall say in his heart, ' My lord delayeth his coming,' and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken, the lord of that servant [bondservant] shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder [cut him off] and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
All through the present dispensation, among the professed servants of Christ, there may be found those who are faithful and true, and others who are unfaithful and false, and so it will be when the Lord comes. Then, the faithful servant, found doing his Lord's will, and waiting for His return, will be caught up to meet his Lord in the air, and to be forever with Him. But the unfaithful and false servant, who has no love for the Lord's appearing, but who was living in self-exaltation and self-gratification, will be disowned, left behind, cut off from all the spiritual privileges of the kingdom; and, instead of having his part and portion with the Bride, the Lamb's wife, and in the kingdom of the Messiah, will have his place in the false ecclesiastical system, Babylon the Great, and in the kingdom of the Antichrist, all hope of heavenly blessedness forever gone, and an eternity of unavailing woe: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.