“For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.” (v. 34)
One significant phrase in this verse is in the words, “And to every man his work”. The Lord has appointed something for every one of us. In order for any work to grow, there must be many laborers, and so much more so in the work of the Lord. The Lord has left, but He has given us, the church, the authority to continue in His work. Will we be faithful servants for Him? On a “far journey” the intent is to return some day, and to have something to return to. As a prince may venture off into a far land, he knows that he still has a kingdom in which to return to, and hopefully left in able hands. He may be gone for many years, but he is still the ruler of his house, and still has final say in all things pertaining to it. This is how it is with Christ and the church. Hopefully He has left it in able hands. The “porter” is the keeper of the gate, or the “overseer” of the church, and he is to watch and warn of the Masters’ coming. “To every man his work” means every one, man, women, and children; we all have something we can do, and are expected to do. Unfortunately, when the Master is gone for a very long time, the servants grow lax and the work is diminished, if not completely forsaken. This seems to be human nature. As the old adage goes, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play,” so it often goes in the church. Each of us needs to do our part, whatever that may be. It is the duty of every child of God to glorify Him, and it is for this reason we were created. (Isa. 43:7)
The question remains for each of us, “in what capacity will I serve Him” and the answer is for each of us himself, “In whatever He asks me to do.” Our Lord is off on a far journey, but He will be back. He knows, even while He is away, our every thought and deed, but He loves us anyway! He has entrusted us to continue in His work, and even made it easy for us to do just that by providing the “tools” we need to accomplish the tasks. He has given, most of all, Himself, the Comforter, to guide us, and cajole us, and nurture us, and bring us along the way that the task might be easily accomplished. With the talents He has given, and the Holy Spirit on our side, we cannot lose when we make even the slightest effort.
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