Fri.’s Devo - Understanding the Parable

Read Luke 12:41-48 Jesus has just told the parable about the faithful servants that were able to wait for their master to come and were not robbed by the thief. When he finished telling the parable, Peter asked him if that parable was for them or for all mankind. Jesus answers Peter with a question: “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” Jesus was trying to help Peter learn how to understand parables by picking a part the different people in the parable and asking questions about them. He was letting Peter know that the faithful servant is open to anyone who wants to be him. Then he explains who the unfaithful servant is: the man who gets tired of waiting and decides it is not worth living in expectation for something that doesn’t look like is going to happen. That man will become slack in his walk with God and start treating people unfairly, eating and drinking to get drunk. That man will be caught with his pants down and all he worked for on this earth will be give to the faithful servants. The unfaithful servant is a person who knows God’s will and decides to do his own thing. He will be punished severely. The man who doesn’t know God’s will and is still unfaithful will not be punished as harshly. To whom much is given, much will be required. Lord, we choose to be the faithful servant who waits as long as it takes for you to come. You are not slack concerning your promises but are slow to anger and compassionate. We trust in your timing.