I’d like to make Jesus’s words more difficult to understand than they really are. I’d like to say, “Boy, that Jesus—He sure is smart. In fact, He’s so smart I don’t understand half of what He’s talking about.”
I’d like to …
… but I can’t.
I can say, “Boy, that Jesus—He sure is smart.”
That would be … well … duh!
I can also say, “I do understand what He’s talking about … if I pay attention.”
The fault isn’t in His words being difficult (at least, not difficult to understand). It lies in my slothful habits. If not for other Christ followers, I’d miss so much of what He says.
Case in point—this line which we read in Sunday School (yes, I do go to Sunday School—I need it): “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45 NIV)
Jesus goes on to speak about the difference between the faithful and the wicked servant. The funny thing is His standard of judgment has a little to do with the Master and a lot to do with everyone else.
Read the servant’s assignment again. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?”
The servant doesn’t have to go into town and talk about how great the Master is. He doesn’t have to sing the Master’s praises. He doesn’t have to attend weekly prayer meetings to request traveling mercies for the Master.
The servant does have one simple directive he must follow though—feed the others on time.
What then separates the good servant from the bad one?
This one thing—his treatment of those under him. More specifically—whether he makes sure their needs are met or not.
“It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions” (Matthew 24:46-47).
Job well done? Okay, here’re the keys to the Rolls and my personal VISA card.
Sweeeettt!
And if the servant isn’t taking care of the needs of those under him—if he’s abusing his status instead and therefore abusing those placed in his charge?
Are you familiar with the phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth?”
Keys to the car or a hot time down under—all depends on how well you treat others.
For me, the convicting thing isn’t the future rejoicing or weeping. It’s how my words and actions influence others and their view of the Master now. “If that’s a Christ follower and he treats people like crap, I want nothing to do with Jesus.”
Ouch!
So where do I start and where do I most need to practice this passage?
At home!
Here’s how I could rephrase the verse: “Who then is the faithful and wise husband, whom the wife has put in charge of the household dog to give her food at the proper time?”
Look. I know the verse is about more than taking care of my dog. But, for me, that’s the place to start.
Then it continues with caring for my wife, my son, my friends, my relatives, my neighbors …
The simple truth though is, if I generalize too broadly, I’ll miss my specific assignment—to provide for the needs of those placed under my care.
I’m curious. How would you personalize Matthew 24:45?
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Recommended links:
Jon Acuff’s “Best Christmas Card Ever?” (funny in 5 seconds or less)
Margaret Manning’s “Lost in Translation” at A Slice of Infinity
Dark Eyes, Deep Eyes
Two men. Two eternal destinies.
One common hope.
A poignant and compelling portrayal of heaven and hell, with a powerful look at redemption from the perspective of both the lost…and the saved. Well done!–Susan May Warren, best-selling, award-winning author of You Don’t Know Me.
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