3/13/2020 – The Parable of the Faithful vs. the Wicked Servant

Passage: Matt 24:45-51, Mark 13:34-37, Luke 12:35-48

Written By: Betsy Hein – U of A Wesley Alumnus

When I was in college, I remember hearing all sorts of complaints about syllabi. Some people didn't want to cite their papers in Chicago or meet the length requirement.

But imagine this: what if you were handed a syllabus, "Here's what the professor wants from you," and you took that piece of paper and threw it away? Instead, you wrote a paper completely about whatever you wanted, however long you wanted, and cited it however you felt. Do you think that paper will receive a good grade? Probably not!

The Bible was handed to us as God's way of saying, "These are things I ask of you". We were given a manual. The thing is – sometimes we treat those pieces of paper like it's the syllabus in the scenario mentioned above.

First off, have we read the syllabus? Secondly, do we seek the professor's guidance when we don't understand what is being asked of us? Third, do we discuss what others think, maybe with friends and family? If we haven't done any of these things, how could we expect to receive even a passing grade?

“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of

managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites… " [Matthew 24:45-51]

This passage talks about a faithful servant who knows what is expected, who follows the instructions of the one in charge, and who, in the end, gets rewarded. It also talks about that servant who decides to write their paper however they want, without reading or understanding their syllabus, and, in the end, there is no reward. Rather that servant is punished instead!

Take some time to reflect:

What would your life look like if you were more prepared – for life, for school, or more importantly for when it comes to Jesus' return? How do you feel that you have been doing in preparing yourself, and where do you see that you have fallen short?

Pray this with me:

Dear God, I know I have not been the faithful servant you have asked me to be. I know I have failed to read my Bible like I know I should. I know I don't talk to you nearly enough, but I know your power and your grace. I pray, today, for help to continue seeking your wisdom in the pages of your book.

Lord, help me to be a faithful servant.

Thank you for who you are and for all that you do. Amen