As you read Luke, especially those times when Jesus is speaking, you get a very distinct picture of how sharp and pointed his statements are.
In Luke 12 and even parts of 13, we see Jesus telling his disciples to be ready, to be on their guard for the return of the Master. We will give an account of all that we do.
42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
- Luke 12:42-48
Jesus calls each of us to account. He has placed some in charge of many and others in charge of few, but with all these instances, we have been giving a labor of love for the Lord. Are we doing what has been asked of us? Or do we shirk responsibility? Do we walk in faith or do we hide in fear? As I examine my life, all too often it is the avoiding of responsibility.
Put in your excuse: It’s too hard. I’m tired. I’m not in the mood. I have to take care of something else. Life’s not fair. This isn’t what I signed up for.
A friend used to ask me, what have you done with Jesus lately? This was a penetrating question, since coming to the LORD means dying to self. It means trusting in faith that Christ will do things that I cannot in my natural ability. Jobs and tasks where we are least qualified to perform, Christ will be most glorified when we trust Him.
My temptation is to walk in my strengths, that’s how I look good… but Christ calls each of us to a task that is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. That which is demanded of us is an impossible task unless we fall to our knees to be empowered and equipped by the Holy Spirit.
You know what you need to do. Trust Jesus. Walk in the Spirit. Praise the Father.
There is no higher calling.