Luke 12:46-50

Luke 12:46 (KJB)
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Since this apathetic servant had adopted a lifestyle which was completely all about him, he had no concern for the fact that the master of the house could return at any time. He acted like he was the master of the house but that would come to an abrupt end. He was blinded to the fact that his day of reckoning was at hand. (Luke 12:20 KJV) But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? He is in the same situation as the one who wanted to build bigger barns. Their day of reckoning was at hand. The rich man expected to see sunset and the evil servant expected to live another day in sin but both of their expectations were shattered in a moment of time. The master of the house has returned and it is time to give an account.

Jesus states that this servant would be cut asunder or in two. First, he would lose all of the privileges and responsibilities of his office, secondly, he would be assigned to the place of the hypocrites. He had started out a good servant but because he thought his master would not come for a long time, he began to think evilly and allowed his thoughts to degenerate his life and thoughts. So now he went from being a servant to a hypocrite. The place of the hypocrites will be eternal hell. (Mat 8:12 KJV) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Those in the churches who were leaders but were not truly Christians will be considered hypocrites because they are trying to be someone they are not. Then those false Christians who thought they were Christians will be cast into outer darkness because they too thought they were saved by belonging to a church or organization and doing their ceremonies. In Matthew 23, Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites and their destination was eternal hell. The evil servant probably did not expect that sentence.

Luke 12:47 (KJB)
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

When the real master had returned, he had the unfaithful servant executed as we read in verse 46. Then there is the servant who knew what his lord’s will was, and that was the revealed will but chose not to prepare himself for the return of the master. That preparation was to be busy in the work around the estate or in the ultimate sense to be busy in the work of the Lord. The fact that this servant did not show any concern for the return of the master tells us that this servant was unsaved. This verse is telling us that there will be different degrees of punishment in hell and the fact that we are being told that he will be beaten with many stripes means that he will face a maximum punishment because he knew the will of God and rejected it.

Luke 12:48 (KJB)
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Then there are those who knew not the will of God yet had committed all kinds of sin in their life, will also be beaten with stripes but with few stripes. It shall be more tolerant for them in the day of Judgment than those who knew the will of God and rejected it. Then Jesus gives a major principle which not only deals with punishment but also with sending forth the Gospel. The Lord has committed to some Christians an extraordinary amount of understanding of the Scriptures and for those Christians, much more will be required because of their level of understanding. Then building on the Christian who has greater understanding of the Scriptures, people will come to that person and expect them to go above and beyond what the average Christian can do. They may be given a task of putting together an evangelistic crusade by their church which means they have committed much to him and expect much or they may have placed him as a teacher and expect more from him. To those who have much understanding, it is to those that people will trust to get a correct answer or understanding.

Luke 12:49 (KJB)
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Jesus then states that He has come to send fire upon the earth. Fire has to do with judgment. The fires of judgment have begun to be spread because Jesus is bringing the true Gospel and that Gospel will either bring a person to Heaven or send that person to hell. Since Jesus was already preaching it and was having confrontation with the religious leaders, the fires of judgment were already kindled. In the day which we live, the fire of Judgment is already worldwide because the Gospel is already worldwide. The Gospel converts the Elect into the Kingdom of God and the unbelievers who hear the Gospel and reject it, are already under the condemnation of God. (John 3:36 KJV) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Luke 12:50 (KJB)
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

The Baptism which is spoken of here is the cross which He will be enduring for the elect of God. He also states that He is in a state of distress or pressure until it is finally over. Jesus knows that so much is depending upon His sacrifice at Calvary. He is in a state like a woman who is ready to deliver a baby and knows the pain is coming and would like it to be over. (Heb 5:7 KJV) Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; The passion was a result of the humanity of Jesus.

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