Luke 12:41-49

Jesus was already speaking to his followers (v. 22). Peter's question was about the role of apostles (us) and the disciples at large (everyone). The passage applies to all, but leaders must especially take notice of its teaching.

manager. A good analogy for leaders entrusted to shepherd God's people (v. 41; see John 21:17; 1 Pet. 5:2-3).

The faithful servant is rewarded with more responsibility (v. 48; 19:17; 1 Cor. 6:2-3).

Unlike the faithful servant (vv. 43-44), some may abuse the authority they were given. Yet, he will not escape the justice of the master who comes back suddenly and unexpectedly (see 1 Sam. 15:33; Ps. 50:22; Rev. 19:15). place . . . unfaithful. This is a picture of one who professes to know Christ, but is not really a believer (13:28; see Matt. 7:21-23; 1 John 2:19).

beaten. Unlike the severe treatment of the unbeliever (vv. 45-46), there is another lesser judgment. This is for those who knew but did not obey Jesus's instruction (Jas. 4:17). few blows. Even less severe is the one who did not understand the instructions he was given. entrusted. Jesus expected that his disciples would wisely use the knowledge and resources given to them (see Matt. 25:14-30; Mark 4:24, 25). See WLC 151.

This concept is covered in detail somewhat in the Gospel of Matthew (below). Hughes states:

The reality for Jesus was that the prophesied fire had not fallen, but he so longed for it - I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled" (Luke 12:49). He longed for the time when he would baptize his followers "with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Luke 3:16).

Through this baptism, all who believed in him would be regenerated, born of the Spirit, made eternally alive as eternal sons and daughters of God (cf. John 1:12, 13; 3:3-6) - and he longed for that. They would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Spirit of truth - and he longed for that. They would no longer be alone (cf. John 14:16, 17) - and he longed for that. They would be sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment insuring their eternal inheritance. They would enjoy eternal life now (cf. Ephesians 1:13, 14; 4:30) - and he longed for that. They would be sanctified, made holy by the Spirits fiery work of internal, soul purification. He would melt their hearts, so to speak, and skim away the impure dross from their souls so they could mirror his holy image - and he longed for that. And ultimately their lives would be ignited, they would become incendiary. Pentecostal fire would flame from their lives, the Spirit of burning would rest above their willing heads, and the fire would spread - and he longed for that.

How Jesus longed for the baptism of the "Holy Spirit and with fire" - the regeneration, indwelling, sealing, sanctification, and ignition of his people. How he longed for judgment to fall too - to take up the "winnowing fork in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Luke 3:17) - to at last bring justice and equity to the earth. This was the real longing of Jesus' heart. These are not Luke's imagined words. These are the words of Jesus, the verbum mentis of his mind and heart - "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled" This is how Jesus felt before the Passion and the cross. . .

Jesus stood before his disciples, eyes wide-open, and said, "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!" A short time later, eyes wide-open, having made the triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, he said, "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" (John 12:27-28a). And in the garden he prayed, "'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:42-44). And on the cross, having become sin for us, he called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). Then his eyes closed. The difference is this: Buddha's eyes close to shut out the world. Christ's close having taken it in.

How exalted our Savior was in his pre-cross reality check. He longed to bring fire on the earth. He wished that the fire was kindled. But he had first to undergo the baptism of death on the cross, immersed in our sins. And he could not wait to get it done! Jesus charged headlong to the cross. Jesus raced to save us.

Having shared the facts about his pre-cross longing and distress, Jesus laid out a sobering reality for his disciples:

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law (Luke 12:51-53).

The division Jesus described is of the most heartbreaking kind. A family of five (father, mother, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law) will be torn apart by appalling enmity. The prophetic nature of Jesus words were emphasized by lines borrowed from Micah 7:6, which prophesied coming hostility between the younger generation and the old. But this is worse. The division is mutual and goes every generational direction. . .

The name of Jesus Christ always produces some type of painful division, even in the most personal of relationships. His words, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6), are offensive to a pluralistic society. Jesus did not come to tell people that all paths lead to God. He did not come to tell people that what you believe does not matter. Jesus did not believe that all people are good, or espouse the perfectibility of humanity. Jesus did not say you can do whatever you want as long as you do not hurt anyone else. His ethics are radical. He demands careful obedience and costly loyalty. And not everyone is willing to pay the price or to accept those who do.

If you attempt to follow Christ, you will experience division. It is also true, of course, that many Christians suffer not because they follow Jesus, but because they are judgmental, boorish, pious buffoons. But it is also a fact that "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). And sometimes the division and persecution come from those we love the most. That is a fact.

fire. Can symbolize God's judgment on sin (Isa. 26:11; Zeph. 1:18; 2 Thess. 1:8; Heb. 10:27). Or, fire can picture a process of refinement God brings upon his people (Isa. 48:10; Zech. 13:9; 1 Pet. 1:7). Here, Jesus probably intended both. He came to bring a fire that will consume all that is opposed to God and refine those that have been set apart for him (2:34; 12:49; Heb. 12:29). wish. This is why he was sent from his Father. Therefore, he longed to complete his mission.