FEBRUARY 17, 2008

 

Intro: ch. 12:35-48- first of three parables in Luke where

Master “leaves” and “returns”-

I. Having instructed His disciples earlier, Jesus urges

them to a general diligence & preparedness. VS.35

“waist girded”- to tie up outer garment

“lamps burning”- to have immediate light readied

 

II. In the parable, a master (Jesus) attends a wedding

for an undetermined period of time, while His servants

(disciples) await His return.  Vs.36-37

1) Wedding Festivities may last a day or a week

2) Custom required servants to ‘open immediately’

 

III. Delay of His return is suggested, thus requiring

greater watchfulness, even like that necessary when

one is alert to a thief who relies on unpreparedness.

Vs.38-40—three night watches-

1) “delay” reminds us of tension between knowing Christ will

return, but not knowing when He will return.

2) Watchfulness—I Cor.1:7, Phil.3:20, Col.3:4, I Thess 1:10,

4:15-17, Titus 2:13, Heb.9:28

3) those who watched are said to be “blessed”- vs.37,38

 

IV. The possibility of reward for a vigilant steward

is found in the second parable.vs.41-43

*Note change from servants (pl) to steward (single)

 

V. Yet, the delay by the Master may move some to

misconduct with dire results upon the Master’s return.

Vs.45-46-

*Wrong thinking led to wrong behavior! (note vs.17)

 

VI. The axiom of proportionate responsibility is

declared- vs.47-48.  “stripes”- part of parable-

*note parallelism-