45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others [in the house] their food and supplies at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that [faithful] servant when his master returns and finds him doing so. 47 I assure you and most solemnly say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

48 But if that servant is evil and says in his heart, ‘My master is taking his time [he will not return for a long while],’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards; 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware, 51 and will cut him in two and put him with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

Matthew 24:45-51 (AMP) 中文

Be on the alert…faithfully

In the previous passage, Jesus calls His followers to be on the alert, to remain vigilant. Now He calls them (us) to be faithful while we wait. There are two very different outcomes depending on whether His servants choose to be faithful or forsake their master and take advantage of His delay.

Servant

First, what is the word servant here? NASB actually uses “slave”. The Greek is δοῦλος (doulos) which, the Bullinger Lexicon defines as: “a slave, one bound to serve (from δέω (deō 1210) to bind) one whose will and capacities are wholly at the service of another (opposite to ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros 1658), free)… but when transferred to Christian service it expresses the highest devotion of one who is bound by love.”

Faithful and wise servant

The master needs to trust the servant otherwise he wouldn’t give him that kind of responsibility. So this servant has already demonstrated faithfulness and responsibility and ability. He gives him a certain scope of responsibility as a test. When the servant proves faithful, the Master gives them more.

Jesus will say this same thing next chapter, in Matt 25:23 – “You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” This servant doesn’t know when the master will return but continues in their role so as to be found faithful at His coming. When the Master returns, there is a blessed reward.

Evil servant

In contrast, the evil servant knows the master is gone and since he has not returned, takes advantage of that for their own purposes and pleasure. This servant doesn’t care when the master will return. When he does return, there is judgment – eternal punishment.

RЯeflection

• Jesus today is asking the same question, “Who then is the faithful and wise servant?” Is it you? Is it me? Are we being faithful and wise while we wait? Are we servants which reflect this kind of attitude and relationship with Christ: “the highest devotion of one who is bound by love”?