Saturday 15 June 2013

Background

Unlike in Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13), even though these versesspeak about being ready for a returning master, they do not appearin an apocalyptic section, perhaps because Luke is a less JewishGospel. Nonetheless there are plenty of warnings about being readyand making the right choices in the proceeding verses.

Immediately before these verses (Luke12:39-41) Peter has asked Jesus if the parable in verses35-39 is for the disciples or everyone. Jesus' reply includes ourverses but is perhaps only concluded when he says in verse 48:"From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required;and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will bedemanded". In verse 42 Jesus speaks about the role of the manageras the one who gives the slaves their food at the proper time.Perhaps this is meant to remind the disciples of the earlierfeeding miracles in which 5,000 were fed (Luke9:10-17). Perhaps also, food here has a symbolic meaning thatmay refer to the idea of the words of life, given by Jesus andentrusted to those he leaves behind.

One of the more disturbing phrases in this passage is the threatagainst the unfaithful slave to "cut him in pieces and put him withthe unfaithful" (v. 46). An alternative reading is "cut him off andput him with the unfaithful" which sounds a bit less unpleasant.This may of course be symbolic language rather like the idea ofgiving someone a tongue lashing. But it may not. What is clear isthat the faithful servant receives even more if he is found to bedoing what he should, whilst the unfaithful servant loseseverything.

The reason for the unfaithful slaves' misbehaviour is that hebelieves that the master has been delayed. The early Churchexpected Jesus to return imminently and so when some of thebelievers began to die, questions were asked about what happened tothem. Paul's answer to this pastoral issue is found in 1Thessalonians 4 and 5 along with the exhortation to remainfaithful.

To Ponder

• What do you think are the main tasks of the Church, whilst wewait for Christ's return?

• And why do you think is it taking so long for Christ toreturn?

• What in your life are you waiting for and what does thispassage teach you about that?