ordered his servants to be ready for his reception, he should be kept a long time knocking at the door at midnight, and find not a servant awake, or so much as a light, in his house ! And will not Jesus be justly indignant, if he shall find such a reception from any one of us ? He tells us that he will scourge that servant with such severity as to " cut him asunder," and that he will assign him his portion among his open and avowed enemies s. Nor will he treat in this manner those only who are riotous and debauched, but those also who neglect to pre- pare for his arrival11. He will, however, make a distinction between the punishment of different servants, proportioning the stripes to the opportunities he had afforded them of knowing and doing his will1. But the fewest stripes will be dreadful, and the pain of them eternal. How should such an awful consideration as this awaken us! Surely our hearts must be harder than adamant, if they be not impressed by it.]
We may improve this parable,
1. For self-examination —
[Peter asked whether it related to the Disciples ? and our Lord directed them to examine themselves whether they were such servants k? This is a proper direction for us. Are we
then " like" such servants ? Let us remember that to
such, and such alone, will our Lord's advent be a source of joy : to all others, what a terrible surprise will his coming be ! Let us then resolve, with God's grace, to watch1. Who would not watch, if he knew that his house would be assaulted by thieves? And shall we not watch to preserve our souls™ ? Whatever be our station among men, our duty to Jesus is the same. O that we may all meet his approbation, and receive his blessing !]
2. For consolation —
[The time of his coming may appear long ; but it is only as one or two watches of a single night". How soon will this be past ! and how sweet will be our rest at the expiration of it ! Let us then " exercise ourselves unto godliness." Let us not sleep as do others ; but let us watch and be sober0. Let us, as dear fellow-servants, strive to keep each other awake and lively ; and soon shall we hear the wished-for knock. Blessed period ! May we all be found ready for it ; and wel- come our divine Master with songs of gratitude and triumph p.]
s ver. 46. h ver. 47. j ver. 48.
k ver. 41,42. ' Hab. ii. 1. '" ver. 39, 40.
n ver. 38. ° 1 Thess. v. 6. p Isai. xxv. 9.