This sermon focuses on Luke 12:35-48. Is there joy or fear in your heart at the coming of the Son of Man? Jesus combines the sobering reality of the crisis he and his disciples will face with a focus on the end times.
The difficulty in understanding this portion of scripture is trying to divide it up when it is all happening in one day and it all ties together! Chapters 11 and 12 are one day in the life of Jesus along the road to Jerusalem. (9:51) The importance of these dialogues is evident from the amount of time Luke spends sharing the content of what Jesus is saying! Remember, from the early days of Jesus ministry, there is little shared about the teachings of Jesus when he healed so many, whereas now when he is instructing the disciples about their impending trials, we get a lot of his teaching (113 verses)! All is centered around the following (start in chapter 11):
Teaching on prayer, a mute man is healed, controversy over his authority and power, lunch with and the challenge to the Pharisees and lawyers, increased hostility, warnings about religion and life, fear and faith, the deception of greed and the passion for God.
Now Jesus maintains his focus on the eternal along with his instruction to his disciples and next time, to the multitudes – all in one day being recorded!
The benefit we have, is we know the end of this portion of history while we wait and prepare for the future end of history. We have the benefit which the disciples did not have. We know about the crucifixion even though Jesus warns them and spoke to them about it beginning with the transfiguration in chapter 9. We also know how this will affect the disciples and the early church. So, Jesus is putting the future difficulties in perspective by pointing to the eternal rewards, and this is significant in verses 35-40. See the servant leadership role that Jesus will take (37)
Jesus does 3 things in this passage:
Conclusion: Our state of readiness is important, as well as how we treat others while waiting for the return of Jesus.