Jesus reinforces his teaching on the right use of wealth with the reminder that earthly things are temporary and the coming of the Son of Man sure. (Morris). Jesus' original hearers probably would not have thought of the Second Coming, but of a more imminent crisis. But the fullest meaning of Jesus' words is found only when we consider the former.
The pastoral importance of this is that we cannot be complacent in waiting to be accountable only at the Second Coming. We can be asked to account for our actions at any time, even when it is unexpected
12. According to 12:35-40, what should a wise disciple do, and why?
He should be ready for action anytime.
He should anticipate the coming of our master so we can welcome Him. The coming may be delaye or at an inconvenient time (late in the night)
He will be blessed if the master finds us ready. The master will himself come a serve him. cf. Lk 22:27, For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves)
v.39 shifts the analogy. Christ is now the thief that breaks into the master's house without warning. The time this happens is not certain, although the event itself is certain.. this emphasises the unpredictability of the calling to account.
This world makes us spiritually sleepy
13. What will happen to Christ's return to His servants who:
a) justly discharge their responsibilities to servants under their charge (12:42-44)?
Blessing. The reward of more faithful service.
b) abuse their authority over others (12:45-46)?
Destruction and treatment as an unbeliever. There is failure to be responsible as a steward in the absence of the master. The steward took on the role of an abusive master.
c) fail to do Jesus' will out of laziness or preoccuipation with personal goals (12::47)
Severe discipline
d) fail to do Jesus' will out of ignorance (12:48)
Light discipline. There is punishment for those who fail to do the right thing (cf. Js 4:7) as well as for those who wilfully break God's commands."...there is no such thing as absolute moral ignorance (Rom. 1:20; 2:14, 15)’ (Farrar), and again, ‘Our very ignorance is part of our sin’ (Ryle).
Those who receive much (gifting, responsibilities, opportunities) are expected to do more with what they have (cf. Am 3:2 You only have I known
of all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you
for all your iniquities.)
Gifts for a Christian are those God uses to build His church. Talents are less well-defined.
14. Jesus said He did not come to divide men's material goods (12:13-15). What did He come to divide (12:42-48, 51-53)?
The faithful and ready servants from the selfish and abusive.
He came to purify ('cast fire, v.48). Only through division of people in their response to Him can this be accomplished. 'kindled' probably means that Jesus looks forward to the process of judgment that starts with His life and culminates in the Cross and Resurrection. He himself will bear the judgment that will fall.
'baptism' (v.50) refers to His Passion - the inmmersion into suffering and death.
15. a) Why do people care enough about the weather to predict and prepare for it?
To plan for daily activities and farming activities. There is vested interest.
b) Why do people fail to foresee and prepare for their own judgment?
"Present time" (v.56) is not only for judgment, but in grasping the significance of Jesus' presence amongst them.
"But they were hypocrites. They concentrated on the superficial. They gave attention (dokimazein) to the weather that they found interesting, but ignored what was important. ‘They were unable to see the true character of the times because they did not want to see it’ (Arndt)."
16.Jesus presents us with two alternatives in light of approaching judgment (12:57-59)
a) How can we be reconciled to our adversary, God (12:57-58)?. Settle the case. People can settle financially with earthly courts, but not with God.
b) What is the alternative (12:58-58)? Go to debtor's prison, with an indefinite period of incarceration.
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