Day 170: Luke 12:41–48

That slave who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten (v. 47).

For those with a knowledge of God, the cost of wickedness during our wait for Jesus’ return is astronomical. I’m not sure we ever hear stronger words out of His mouth than these: “He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers” (v. 46).

I believe Christ was most likely addressing His remarks to the people He described in Luke 11:52: “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” I’d like to suggest that the picture of the head servant beating the menservants and maidservants while the master was away (Luke 12:45) could easily represent spiritual abuse at the hands of religious leaders. God will hold those of us who are leaders responsible for this.

I can think of many examples, but one instantly raises its ugly head in my mind—the preacher who beats and bangs hellfire and damnation on his pulpit, piously condemning his flock for all manner of evil, while abusing his wife and children at home. I wish I could tell you that I’ve only heard such a testimony once or twice. Let me stress that I still believe the far greater population of Christians resist that kind of hypocrisy, but spiritual abuse of this nature exists far more than we want to believe.

Another form of spiritual abuse is using Scripture or the name of God to manipulate others. I have very little doubt we will be called to account for the times we have used God’s name to get what we want. Christ despises all forms of human oppression. A huge penalty awaits those who possess a knowledge of God yet persist in meanness and self-indulgence. Forgive me if my temperature on this matter is showing. If not for the authentic examples of godliness, I would despair over all the abuse I’ve seen in the religious community.

But I also know the future punishment of the unfaithful will be fair: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (v. 48). That’s fair. But that’s serious. I have been given so much. I must accept the fact that much is also required. Here is our joy and security in the midst of much required: Christ is never the author of spiritual abuse. Every single thing required of us will be amply rewarded far beyond our imagination.