May 6 Who Me?

Luke 12:41-46 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 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 I tell you the truth, 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 menservants and maidservants 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.”
 
PETER asked a very good question. I’ll bet you, too, have asked, “Jesus, are you just talking to your Top Twelve Disciples? Or are you talking to me, too.?” What happens when you confess, “Jesus is talking to me.”
    Hopefully, you are attentive. He’s the teacher who calls you to account, “Answer the question or get a failing grade.” He’s the employer who warns, “Be on time or you will lose your job.” We have spoken earlier of the ways Jesus draws the line between believers and unbelievers. He does so again here. The Lord does not compromise. Are you hearing his words for you?
    I pray you are. Jesus’ response to Peter tells you that disobedience leads to absolute destruction. What an awful image Jesus describes for the faithful’s punishment. “(The Master) will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” In other teachings, Luke records Jesus describing other horrific scenes of Hell. Luke, the author, is Spirit-inspired to declare Jesus’ urgent words. The Savior speaks such language to awaken you to know his words are for you to learn and obey. Listen. Turn your ears from sin to salvation.
    Be assured. Jesus is the Living Word, who speaks, “I tell you the truth.” Believe, as John records, he has spoken the world into existence. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3) Then at the right moment, the Lord has spoken you into life. He speaks now through the Spirit-inspired Bible to precisely and personally tell you the specific way to eternal life.
    Acknowledge, “Jesus is talking to me.” Rejoice and be glad he counts you worthy to hear his teachings. Be a true disciple. As a teacher or parent says, “It will be good for you if you obey me.” Jesus promises, “It will be good for (you) whom the master finds doing so when he returns.” May he find you faithful to welcome you into his eternal reward.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your life-giving words. I receive them in faith. Amen.