A FAITHFUL AND WISE SERVANT

Though today’s portion is not applicable to us in its contextual interpretation, there are, nevertheless, lessons to be learned in matters of privilege and responsibility as the Lord’s servants. These are pertinent to us despite the fact that we serve in a dif­ferent dispensation to the setting of these verses.

The scene is once again set in light of the soon return of the Lord. Specifically, this relates to His coming back to earth to reign and not to the air to rapture the church. In His absence, He graciously allows servants to administer the affairs of His household. Their responsibility is to provide meat in due sea­son, for the Master will have his people fed. Peter evidently absorbed the Lord’s teaching as he counsels those who have the oversight of God’s people to ‘feed the flock’, 1 Pet. 5. 2. There is a blessing promised for those who show diligence in this work, 1 Pet. 5. 4.

Sadly, the Lord identifies that not all His servants will show the same degree of integrity. The errant servant is emboldened in his activity by persuading himself that the Lord has delayed His return. The mention of him reasoning in his heart suggests this is what he desires to believe. Such a ‘conscience seared with a hot iron’ gives licence to becoming overbearing and indulgent. It is disgraceful when those who presume to be representing the absent Lord partake in such excess. Regrettably, this has been the case in all eras.

‘The Lord … shall come’ irrespective of the wilful denial of the fact by those who are opposed to it. At His return to estab­lish His kingdom, He will deal summarily with those who have exploited and abused their station. The word here ren­dered ‘cut him asunder’ is where we derive our word ‘dichotomy’, for one of split personality. In the true sense, the judgement fits the crime.

This judgement clearly distinguishes the two phases of the Lord’s second advent. At His return to the air, there will be no such judgement upon the hypocrite. However, the sure prospect of our Lord’s return for us should have the effect that in our service we do not abuse our privilege or His people.