Lucas 12
J.C. Ryle · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 12
Ryle - We are taught, firstly, in these verses—that we must confess Christ upon earth, if we expect Him to own us as His saved people at the last day. We must not be ashamed to let all men see that we believe in Christ, and serve Christ, and love Christ, and care more for the praise of Christ than for the praise of man. The duty of confessing Christ is incumbent on all Christians in every age of the Church. Let us never forget that. It is not for martyrs only—but for all believers, in every rank of life. It is not for great occasions only—but for our daily walk through an evil world. The rich man among the rich, the laborer among laborers, the young among the young, the servant among servants—each and all must be prepared, if they are true Christians, to confess their Master. It needs no blowing a trumpet. It requires no noisy boasting. It needs nothing more than using the daily opportunity. But one thing is certain—if a man loves Jesus, he ought not to be ashamed to let people know it. The difficulty of confessing Christ is undoubtedly very great. It never was easy at any period. It never will be easy as long as the world stands. It is sure to entail on us laughter, ridicule, contempt, mockery, enmity and persecution. The wicked dislike to see any one better than themselves. The world which hated Christ—will always hate true Christians. But whether we like it or not, whether it is hard or easy—our course is perfectly clear. In one way or another, Christ must be confessed. The grand motive to stir us up to bold confession is forcibly brought before us in the words which we are now considering. Our Lord declares, that if we do not confess Him before men, He will "not confess us before the angels of God" at the last day. He will refuse to acknowledge us as His people. He will disown us as cowards, faithless and deserters. He will not plead for us. He will not be our Advocate. He will not deliver us from the wrath to come. He will leave us to reap the consequences of our cowardice, and to stand before the judgment bar of God—helpless, defenseless, and unforgiven. What a dreadful prospect is this! How much turns on this one hinge of "confessing Christ before men!" Surely we ought not to hesitate for a moment. To doubt between two such alternatives, is the height of folly. For us to deny Christ or be ashamed of His Gospel, may get us a little of man's good opinion for a few years—though it will bring us no real peace. But for Christ to deny us at the last day will be ruin in Hell to all eternity! Let us cast away our cowardly fears. Come what will—let us confess Christ! (Luke Commentary) David
Lucas 12
Ryle says Jesus "sends us to the birds of the air for instruction. They make no provision for the future: “they do not sow or reap or store away in barns”; they do not store food for the future. They literally live from day to day on what they can pick up by using the instinct God has put in them. They ought to teach us that no one doing their duty in the position to which God has called him, will ever be allowed to come to poverty. Now if the Maker of all things provides for the wants of birds, and orders things so that they have a daily supply of food, we ought surely not to fear that He will let His spiritual children starve. Consider (aorist imperative - Do this now!)(2657)(katanoeo from kata = down or intensify meaning + noéo = to perceive or think) means literally to put the mind down on something and so to observe or consider carefully and attentively. It means to fix one’s eyes or mind upon and to perceive clearly. The idea is to think about something very carefully or consider closely which denotes the action of one's mind apprehending certain facts about a thing so as to give one the proper and decisive thought about the thing considered. Luke's other uses of katanoeo - Lk. 6:41; Lk. 12:24; Lk. 12:27; Lk. 20:23; Acts 7:31; Acts 7:32; Acts 11:6; Acts 27:39 Ravens (2876)(korax) is an intelligent, large black bird, from the genus Corvus (which includes crows). They were scavengers and were considered unclean (Lev 11:15) Fausset adds "The raven is singled out as exemplifying God's care for His creatures because of their restless flying in search for food to satisfy their voracious appetites. With their hoarse cry they unconsciously appeal to their Maker and Preserver for their necessary food, and never in vain, though they neither sow nor reap neither have storehouse nor barn. A lesson of faith to us. The ravens build their nests in solitary "valleys," hence a sign of desolation (Isa 34:11). Birds of prey attack the eye especially. The mocker of his father shall die a death of shame, and be a prey to the "raven of the valley" (Pr 30:17). The shrewd and ill visage of the raven, its mourning hue, its solitary haunts, harsh croak, instant scenting of premonitory decomposition even before death, made it be regarded as of ill omen. The glossy steel-blue black of the raven is the image of the bridegroom's locks (Song 5:11)." Korax - 10x in 10v in the Septuagint - Ge 8:7; Lev. 11:15; Dt. 14:14; 1 Ki. 17:4, 6; Job 38:41; Ps. 147:9; Pr. 30:17; Song 5:11; Isa. 34:11; Zeph. 2:14 Ge 8:7 And he (Noah) sent out a raven (Hebrew = oreb; Lxx = korax), and it flew here and there until the water was dried up from the earth. Fausset's Bible Dictionary on raven - Hebrew 'oreb, from a root "black," including the crow. Not allowed as food (Lev 11:15). Of the order Ιnsessores , family Corvidae . Ge 8:7, Noah's first messenger from the ark, which kept going forth and returning, resting on the ark but never entering, feeding on the floating carcasses; type of the carnal soul that having left God finds no rest (Isa 57:20-21); like Satan (Job 1:7; Job 2:2). Ravens fed Elijah at the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:4; 1 Kings 17:6) when cut off from intercourse with men, who might have betrayed him to Ahab. When even the voracious ravens were against their nature made to care for him more than for themselves, his confidence was strengthened in Jehovah's illimitable resources to help him in his coming conflict with the idolatrous priests, dislikes the raven as of ill omen God cares for it (Job 38:41; Ps 147:9; Luke 12:24). (Ref) Sow (4687) (speiro) means to scatter seed. Sowing, usually accomplished by broadcasting seed, which could precede or follow plowing. Fields or individual plants were fertilized with dung and the rain and sun brought different crops to maturity at different times. Following the winter rains and the ‘latter’ rains of March-April, barley was ready to be harvested in April and May, and wheat matured three or four weeks later. More valuable (worth more) (1308) diaphero from dia = separation, through + phéro = carry, bear) means literally to carry or take something through an area or structure (Mk 11:16, more figuratively of God's Word in Acts 13:49, Passive sense of a ship being driven about - Acts 27:27). A T
Lucas 12
Ryle - Now if God every year provides these flowers with a fresh supply of living leaves and blossoms, we surely ought not to doubt His power and willingness to furnish His believing servants with all needful clothing. Leon
Lucas 12
Ryle says Jesus "suggests to us that over-carefulness about the things of this world is most unworthy of a Christian. One great feature of paganism is living for the present. Let the pagan be anxious if he wants to; he knows nothing of a Father in heaven. But let the Christian, who has clearer light and knowledge, give proof of it by his faith and contentment. When we are bereaved of those we love, we are not to “grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (1 Th 4:13). When we are tried by anxieties about this life, we are not to be over-careful, as if we had no God, and no Christ." (Expository Thoughts) MacArthur on the Nations (the pagans) - Those outside of God’s kingdom have no claim on Him—no promises, pledges, or guarantees. The only good in their lives comes from common grace. Their father, Satan (John 8:44), makes no promises and provides no benefits. Being dead to spiritual things (Eph. 2:1), “having no hope and without God in the world” (v. 12), and being “darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them” (4:18), the unregenerate focus on material things. They even create false gods in a vain attempt to help them in their quest, but those gods are only a reflection of evil men and demons—wicked, devious, selfish, violent, untrustworthy, indifferent, capricious, and merciless. Far from expecting help from such gods, the best people can hope for is to placate them. (Ibid)
Lucas 12
Ryle - "This is perhaps one of the most wonderful promises made to believers in the New Testament. It must probably be interpreted figuratively. It means that there is no limit to the honor and glory which the Lord Jesus will bestow on those who are ready to meet him at his second coming." David Gooding (Luke Commentary) - At the great banquet the Master himself will serve us Lk 12:37). Does not that inspire us to grasp every opportunity of serving him first? Spurgeon (Sermon on 1 Cor 4:1-2 Stewards Faithful Stewardship) - The reward of faithful stewards is exceedingly great. Let us aspire to it. The Lord will make the man who was faithful in a few things to be ruler over many things. That is an extraordinary passage where our Lord says, “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them” (Lk 12:37). It is wonderful that our Lord has already served us. But how can we comprehend that He will serve us again? Think of Jesus rising up from His throne to wait upon us! “Behold,” He cries, “here comes a man who served Me faithfully on earth! Make way for him, you angels and principalities and powers. This is the man whom the King delights to honor.” And to our surprise, the King girds Himself and waits upon us. We are ready to cry, “Not so, Lord” (Ac 10:14; 11:8). But He must, and will, keep His word. This unspeakable honor He will pay to His true servants. Happy man to have been the poorest and most despised of ministers to be now served by the King of kings! Spurgeon (Exposition of Lk 12) - I will not attempt fully to explain this passage of Scripture in the few moments which I can give to it, but it is very wonderful. Our Lord has been here once, and girded himself to serve us; but is it not extraordinary that here is an intimation of a second girding of himself that he may serve us? Oh, how fond is Christ of being the servant of servants, ministering unto those who delight to minister unto him! What an honour does the Captain of our salvation put upon the meanest soldiers in this war when he declares that, if we be found faithful, he will gird himself, and come forth and serve us! (Luke 12 - Exposition) Spurgeon (Exposition of Lk 12:37) - I never read this verse without wondering at the marvelous condescension of our Lord. Even in the day of his appearing in glory, his thoughts will be more about his people than about himself: “He shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” (Luke 12 - Exposition) Roy Zuck (THE REWARD OF SERVICE -- Luke 12:37; 17:7–10) Two neglected truths about ministry are stated by the Lord in these passages. First, service is obligatory and a disciple deserves no praise for doing his duty (Luke 17:7–10). Even the finest service establishes no claim on God since believers are at best unprofitable servants. But God is gracious. In fact, He is so gracious that besides receiving the service of faithful, alert servants, He even reverses roles and actually serves His servants (12:37). This is the second idea—service is graciously rewarded by God. Nothing could more clearly underline the truth that grace and love lie at the heart of Christian service. Mark Hitchock in 101 Answers - It may surprise you to learn that Scripture contains no mention of believers serving each other in heaven—only of us serving God and Him serving us. Luke 12:37 says that when the Lord of Glory comes He "will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them." Ever the servant, the Lord Jesus will wait on us, His beloved bride, and meet our needs forever. John Piper (Devotional "Jesus Christ is Alive to Serve") - “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). But not only was he the servant of his people while he lived on earth, he will also be our servant when he comes again: “Truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them” (Luke 12:37). Not only that, he is our servant now: “‘I will never fail you nor forsake you.’ Hence we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?” Good News, Bad News. —Luke 12:37 A teacher tells her young students, “Class, I’m going down the hall for a few minutes. I don’t expect to be away long. I’m sure there won’t be any trouble. I’m trusting you to work on your assignments while I’m gone.” Fifteen minutes pass, then 20, then 40. Suddenly the teacher returns. Dennis has just thrown an eraser at Carol who is doing her math. Steven is standing on the teacher’s desk making faces. The students carrying out the teacher’s instructions are delighted at the teacher’s return, but Dennis and Steven wish she hadn’t come back at all. Jesus Christ is coming back! That stands as both a warning and a promise throughout the New Testament. It’s good news or bad, depending on who hears it. In church we sing songs like “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” As we take the Lord’s Supper, the minister says that we “proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). On Sunday morning, the second coming of Christ sounds like great news. But during the rest of the week are we as ready for His return? Jesus is coming back! It may be soon. It will be sudden. Is that good news or bad? It’s up to you.By Haddon W. Robinson When Jesus comes to reward His servants, Whether it be noon or night, Faithful to Him will He find us watching, With our lamps all trimmed and bright? —Crosby Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. —Jesus (Mt. 24:42) Luke 12:38 "Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. KJV And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. CSB Luke 12:38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn, and finds them alert, those slaves are blessed. ESV Luke 12:38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! NIV Luke 12:38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. NLT Luke 12:38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. NRS Luke 12:38 If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. Mt 25:6; 1 Th 5:4,5 Luke 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 12:35-48 Are You Ready for Christ’s Return? - Steven Cole Luke 12:35-40 Waiting for the Master's Return, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 12:35-40 Waiting for the Master's Return, Part 2 - John MacArthur BLESSED ARE SLAVES WHO "REMAIN AWAKE" Bock - Jesus reinforces the call to be ready with another illustration: a protected or unprotected home. (Luke 9:51-24:53 Baker Exegetical Commentary ) Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third and finds them so, blessed (makarios) are those slaves (doulos). - These are night watches when one would get sleepy and not be as alert. Jesus' point is clear -- He is not setting dates but is saying whatever time the master (speaking of Himself ultimately) returns, his bondservants are to be expectantly awaiting His return! The hour of His coming is not known and watchfulness is to characterize those who wait. Blessed is the reward for expectant waiting and not falling asleep spiritually.
Lucas 12
Ryle points out, “Our very ignorance is part of our sin” (Expository Thoughts on the Gospels [Baker], p. 94). Even those who have never heard of Christ have enough revelation through creation and conscience to know that there is a righteous God. But they have suppressed the truth in unrighteousness, so that they are without excuse (Ro 1:18-20). Those who have been given the most light have the most responsibility and will be judged the most severely. There will be gradations of punishment in hell. Jesus clearly assumes His own authority to judge every person! Each person needs to answer the question, “Do I have a ‘welfare mentality’ regarding spiritual things?” Are you living for today only, with no regard for the Master’s return and the accounting that He will demand? Are you foolishly putting it out of your mind by thinking, “I’ve got time”? Jesus says that we should be “like men who are waiting for their master when he returns.” We should live each day with an eye on that future day when “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thess. 4:16). We will be blessed if the Master finds us ready when He comes. (Are You Ready for Christ’s Return?)