He that Knew Not - Luke 12:48

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comes shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delays his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken. The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looks 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. 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”, and in chapter twelve and verse forty-eight of his book Luke shared how Jesus told what happens to, “he that knew not” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.” Luke began with the words, “but he that knew not” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the person whether male or female who did not perceive, understand, discern and discover”, “and did commit things” which means “and made, prepared, produced and bore acts” “worthy of stripes” or “befitting, congruous and corresponding, and meriting blows, wounds, public calamity, heavy affliction and plague”, “shall be beaten” which means “will be flayed, thrashed and smitten” “with few stripes” or “with a small number of blows, wounds, public calamities, afflictions and plagues”. Luke shared how Jesus said the person who was unaware that their acts were against God's will would suffer less for their errors than the person who “knew” they were violating His commands.

The verse continues, “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.” Luke added the words, “for unto whomsoever” or “because, since and on account that to whatever person whether male or female” “much is given” which means “a large amount is granted, bestowed, supplied and furnished”, “of him” or “from that person whether male or female” “shall be much required” which means “will a lot and large amount will be sought for and demanded”: “and to whom men have committed much” or “and to whatever person whether male or female others have made, prepared, produced and bore great acts toward”, “of him” which refers to “from that person whether male and female” “they will ask the more” or “those who make them give account will seek for and demand a larger amount”. Luke shared how the person who is “granted” many things and had many things “entrusted” to them will have more “required and asked” from them.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how there is a different measure of “required accountability” depending upon how much has been “given to and committed” to people. Some people receive a great amount of talents, abilities, advantages and positions in the world, and they will give a greater account of those things than the person who receives little. God loves everyone, and He extends gifts to people in various measures and ways. Each person will give an account for how they have applied their gifts in this life, and those who are wise will yield themselves to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” so they may maximize everything God has granted to them.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “I am come to send fire on the earth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".