Thankfully, Jesus’ Teachings are for All of Us
Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.
“And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly.
When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”
Peter kind of does a thing here like the lawyer that provoked the parable of the Good Samaritan. Good job Pete.
Basically, Jesus’ answer is yes, His teachings count for everybody. It might be even worse, but for those that are called to be apostles, the expectations are higher. It makes sense, though. Those that are closer to Jesus are going to be examples to the rest. If you were near Him, it’s not just Jesus that is going to expect you to know more about Him.
James would say later that anyone that knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it sins. This is similar to what Jesus teaches right here. You can look at it as a burden and a task if you want to, but there’s another way.
What if every single thing you’ve been entrusted with — from your cash to your smarts to your live events both good and bad — was something that God was putting to work for His glory? I was in a really beaten and hurt state once when a wise man told me “God never leaves scraps. He uses every single thing.”
This is yet another reason why we can be attentive to the Lord’s work like in yesterday’s reading. If the Lord is delighted to show up and use anything we’re responsible for, I’m going to take on every responsibility with a joyful expectation.
In ancient Israel, you wouldn’t send Phds or businessmen out to be shepherds. They were either felons or rejects of some sort. It was messy, dangerous work and typically would endup making you unclean for worship almost daily. But they were the ones that got to see angels on Christmas night.
So to answer Peter’s question: yes, thankfully, Jesus meant this for all of us.
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