Luke 12:47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
Today’s scripture is about willful disobedience versus unknowing disobedience. The servant who knows the master’s will and doesn’t do it is punished more severely than the servant who does not do the master’s will and yet does things deserving punishment. And while I have a lot of issues with this analogy, the concept makes sense.
Luke 12:48a But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows….
It reminds me of a quote by Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” As Christians who faithfully read and study the Bible, we know better, so we are expected to do better. I struggle with where the punishment fits in, though, because my God isn’t a vengeful God, standing by with a whip, ready to strike when I get out of line.
Luke 12:48b …From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded;
Precious Savior, Thank You for Your love, mercy, and kindness. Thank You that I *do* know better because I read and study Your word daily. Help me to do a little better each day than the day before when it comes to showing others Your love and living according to Your will. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Luke 12:48c …and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Have a blessed day.