Smiting Fellow-Servants - Matthew 24:49

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man comes. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his household to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comes shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse forty-nine of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the “evil servant” begins to, “smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and to drink” where we read:

And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

The verse reads, “And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “and shall begin” which means “and commences” “to smite” which means “to strike, beat, whip and pummel” “his fellow-servants” or “the evil servant's associates, others who serve and colleagues”. Matthew shared how Jesus presented the condition if the “evil servant” commenced to mistreat and whip his “fellow-servants”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and to eat and drink with the drunken;” Matthew continues with Jesus' words, “and to eat” or “and to consume and devour” “and drink” which means “and imbibe what serves to refresh, strengthen and nourish” “with the drunken” which means “alongside the intoxicated”. Matthew shared how Jesus said this “evil servant” could also begin to “eat and drink” to the point of intoxication. The idea was that he lived as though his master would never return, so he began to indulge in partying along with the intoxicated.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how cavalier this “evil servant” was not only to his “fellow-servants” but also in the way he lived. Because he believed his master was delaying his return, he thought himself able to live in any manner he desired. People refuse to accept Jesus' offer of salvation, and they live in any manner they wish. Let all who read these words understand the imminence of Jesus' return and never live as this “evil servant” but rather submit their lives to God through His Son Jesus before it is too late.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus says, “the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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