The Faithful and Unfaithful Servants
We could call this “The Faithful Church Leader and The Unfaithful Church Leader.” We are all servants of Jesus, but some are appointed to lead, watch, and care for their fellow servants. Not to rule over them harshly, but to ensure they stay vigilant and watch for the return of their master. In this parable, Jesus likened himself to a thief, sneaking in and surprising those who were not watching. If they had stayed awake, they wouldn’t have been surprised at his return. The good servant would be vigilant and keep watch, but if he grew tired of waiting, thinking the master wouldn’t be coming for a while longer, he might decide to rule over the other servants, get drunk, be cruel, and beat them.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. Matthew 24:44-47
There are many churches where the enemy has gotten a foothold, fleecing their members financially and making promises they cannot keep; they are like the bad servant. The blessed servant keeps watch and encourages their fellow servants to also be vigilant so they are not caught off guard.
We are in such a season as this parable. Keep watch, and armored; we’ve been warned.
“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die; if it must be a short life, let it be a merry one.” The apostle James speaks of this as the general practice of the wealthy J*ws before the destruction of Jerusalem; when they should have been weeping for the miseries that were coming upon them, they were living in pleasure, and nourishing their hearts as in a day of slaughter, James 5:1, James 5:5. The Matthew Henry Commentary for Matthew 24:32-51
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