Luke 12:41

Peter, as one who cared for all and who out of brotherly love was zealous for the benefit of his listeners, and as one who had already received the Church into his trust, asked (the Lord): whether He was speaking this parable "to all." The …

But Peter said to him: Lord, are you telling this parable for us, or for everyone? The Lord indeed had previously warned through a parable, both that he would come suddenly, and that they should expect him prepared; but of which of these matters Peter …

Our Lord had taught two things in the preceding parable unto all, even that He would come suddenly, and that they ought to be ready and waiting for Him. But it is not very plain concerning which of these, or whether both, Peter asked the question, or whom he compared to himself and his companions, when he said, Speakest thou to us, or to all? Yet in truth by these words, us and all, he must be supposed to mean none other than the Apostles, and those like to the Apostles, and all other faithful men; or Christians, and unbelievers; or those who dying separately, that is, singly, both unwillingly indeed and willingly, receive the coming of their Judge, and those who when the universal judgment comes are to be found alive in the flesh. Now it is marvellous if Peter doubted that all must live soberly, piously, and justly, who wait for a blessed hope, or that the judgment will to each and all be unexpected. It therefore remains to be supposed, that knowing these two things, he asked about that which he might not know, namely, whether those sublime commands of a heavenly life in which He bade us sell what we have and provide bags which wax not old, and watch with our loins girded, and lamps burning, belonged to the Apostles only, and those like unto them, or to all who were to be saved.

Peter, to whom the Church had already been committed, as having the care of all things, inquires whether our Lord put forth this parable to all. As it follows, Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?

Then Peter said unto him, Lord,.... The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, "our Lord": speakest thou this parable: of the master at the wedding, and his servants waiting for him, or of the housekeeper watching that his house be not broken up, or both: unto us, or unto all?

We learn firstly from these verses—the importance of doing , in our Christianity. Our Lord is speaking of His own second coming. He is comparing His disciples to servants waiting for their master's return, who have each their own work to do during His absence. "Blessed," He says, "is that servant, whom his master, when he comes, shall find so doing ." The warning has doubtless a primary reference to ministers of the Gospel. They are the stewards of God's mysteries, who are specially bound to be found "doing" when Christ comes again.

We learn firstly from these verses—the importance of doing , in our Christianity. Our Lord is speaking of His own second coming. He is comparing His disciples to servants waiting for their master's return, who have each their own work to do during His absence. "Blessed," He says, "is that servant, whom his master, when he comes, shall find so doing ." The warning has doubtless a primary reference to ministers of the Gospel. They are the stewards of God's mysteries, who are specially bound to be found "doing" when Christ comes again. But the words contain a further lesson—which all Christians would do well to consider. That lesson is—the immense importance of a working, practical, diligent, useful religion. The lesson is one which is greatly needed in the churches of Christ. We hear a great deal about people's intentions , and hopes , and wishes , and feelings , and professions . It would be better if we could hear more about people's practice . It is not the servant who is found wishing and professing —but the servant who is found "doing" whom Jesus calls "blessed." The lesson is one which many, unhappily, shrink from giving—and many more shrink from receiving. We are gravely told that to talk of "working," and "doing," is 'legalistic', and brings Christians into bondage! Remarks of this kind should never move us. They savor of ignorance or rebellion . The lesson before us is not about justification—but about sanctification; not about saving faith—but about holiness of life. The point is not what a man should do to be saved—but what a saved man ought to do! The teaching of Scripture is clear and express upon this subject, A saved man ought to be "careful to maintain good works." (Titus 3:8.) The desire of a true Christian ought to be—to be found "doing." If we love life—then let us resolve by God's help, to be "doing" Christians.