Expository Thoughts On Luke – Luke 12:41-48 - John Charles Ryle

We learn from these verses, the importance of doing, in our Christianity. Our Lord is speaking of His own second coming. He is comparing His disciples to servants waiting for their master’s return, who have each their own work to do during His absence. “Blessed,” He says, “is that servant, whom his master, when he comes, shall find so doing.”

The warning has doubtless a primary reference to ministers of the Gospel. They are the stewards of God’s mysteries, who are specially bound to be found “doing,” when Christ comes again. But the words contain a further lesson, which all Christians would do well to consider. That lesson is, the immense importance of a working, practical, diligent, useful religion.

The lesson is one which is greatly needed in the churches of Christ. We hear a great deal about people’s intentions, and hopes, and wishes, and feelings, and professions. It would be well if we could hear more about people’s practice. It is not the servant who is found wishing and professing, but the servant who is found “doing” whom Jesus calls “blessed.”

The lesson is one which many, unhappily, shrink from giving, and many more shrink from receiving. We are gravely told that to talk of “working,” and “doing,” is ‘legalistic’, and brings Christians into bondage! Remarks of this kind should never move us. They savor of ignorance or perverseness. The lesson before us is not about justification, but about sanctification–not about faith, but about holiness. The point is not what a man should do to be saved–but what ought a saved man to do! The teaching of Scripture is clear and express upon this subject, A saved man ought to be “careful to maintain good works.” (Tit. 3:8.) The desire of a true Christian ought to be, to be found “doing.

If we love life, let us resolve by God’s help, to be “doing” Christians. This is to be like Christ. He “went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38.) This is to be like the apostles, they were men of deeds even more than of words. This is to glorify God–“Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit.” (John 15:8.) This is to be useful to the world–“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16.)

We learn, secondly, from these verses, the dreadful danger of those who neglect the duties of their calling. Of such our Lord declares, that they shall be “cut in pieces, and their portion appointed with the unbelievers.” These words no doubt apply especially to the ministers and teachers of the Gospel. Yet we must not flatter ourselves that they are confined to them. They are probably meant to convey a lesson to all who fill offices of high responsibility. It is a striking fact that when Peter says at the beginning of the passage, “are you telling this parable to us, or to all?” our Lord gives him no answer. Whoever occupies a position of trust, and neglects his duties, would do well to ponder this passage, and learn wisdom.

The language which our Lord Jesus uses about slothful and unfaithful servants, is peculiarly severe. Few places in the Gospels contain such strong expressions as this. It is a vain delusion to suppose that the Gospel speaks nothing but “smooth things.” The same loving Savior who holds out mercy to the uttermost to the penitent and believing, never shrinks from holding up the judgments of God against those who despise His counsel. Let no man deceive us on this subject. There is a hell for such an one as goes on still in his wickedness, no less than a heaven for the believer in Jesus. There is such a thing as “the wrath of the Lamb.” (Rev. 6:16.)

Let us strive so to live, that whenever the heavenly Master comes, we may be found ready to receive Him. Let us watch our hearts with a godly jealousy, and beware of the least symptom of unreadiness for the Lord’s appearing. Specially let us beware of any rising disposition to lower our standard of Christian holiness–to dislike people who are more spiritually-minded than ourselves, and to conform to the world. The moment we detect such a disposition in our hearts, we may be sure that our souls are in great peril. The Christian professor who begins to persecute God’s people, and to take pleasure in worldly society, is on the high road to ruin.

We learn, lastly, from these verses, that the greater a man’s religious light is, the greater is his guilt if he is not converted. The servant which “knew his master’s will, but did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”

The lesson of these words is one of wide application. It demands the attention of many classes. It should come home to the conscience of every British Christian. His judgment shall be far more strict than that of the heathen who never saw the Bible. It should come home to every Protestant who has the liberty to read the Scriptures. His responsibility is far greater than that of the priest-ridden Romanist, who is debarred from the use of God’s word. It should come home to every hearer of the Gospel. If he remains unconverted he is far more guilty than the inhabitant of some dark parish, who never hears any teaching but a sort of semi-heathen morality. It should come home to every child and servant in religious families. All such are far more blameworthy, in God’s sight, than those who live in houses where there is no honor paid to the word of God and prayer. Let these things never be forgotten. Our judgment at the last day will be according to our light and opportunities.

What are we doing ourselves with our religious knowledge? Are we using it wisely, and turning it to good account? Or are we content with the barren saying, “We know it–we know it,” and secretly flattering ourselves that the knowledge of our Lord’s will makes us better than others, while that will is not done? Let us beware of mistakes. The day will come, when knowledge unimproved will be found the most perilous of possessions. Thousands will awake to find that they are in a lower place than the most ignorant and idolatrous heathen. Their knowledge not used, and their light not followed, will only add to their condemnation.

John Charles Ryle