Living Faithfully Even When No One Is Watching
Luke 12:35–48
Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz
Luke 12:35 “Be prepared, and keep your lamps lit. 36 “You are also to be like people
who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that
they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks. 37 “Blessed
are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say
to you, that he will prepare himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and he
will come up and serve them. 38 “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even
in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
Luke 12:39 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what
hour the thie was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
40 “You too, be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do
not think He will.”
Luke 12:41 Peter said, “Lord, are You telling this parable to us, or to everyone else as
well?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his
master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?
43 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I say
to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 “But if that slave says in
his heart, ‘My master will take a long time to come,’ and he begins to beat the other
slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 then the master of
that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not
know, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 “And
that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accordance with
his will, will receive many blows, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed
acts deserving of a beating, will receive only a few blows. From everyone who has been
given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they
will ask all the more.
Perhaps they speak harshly, act selfishly, or show little regard for the teachings of Jesus.
In church, they may be quick to point out the faults of others, yet they resist correction
themselves—even when the evidence is undeniable.
Such behavior is not limited to individuals. We see it in public figures, especially
politicians, who deny their words even when confronted with video proof. But this isn’t
just about politics. It’s about human nature. It’s about all of us. And it’s about how we
live when we think no one is watching.
In Luke 12:35–48, Jesus shares two parables that speak directly to this issue. These
parables have often been interpreted as references to His Second Coming, and rightly
so. But today, I want us to consider a more practical application: how we live our lives
day to day, knowing that we will one day stand before the Lord.
Jesus teaches that the Son of Man may return at any moment. Whether He comes
eventually, we must be ready. That readiness is not just about attending church or giving
offerings, it’s about how we treat others, how we speak, and how we live when no one
else is watching.
As someone who has pastored churches for over 25 years, I’ve seen this firsthand. Early
in my ministry, I was sent to fill in at various congregations. I would intentionally sit in
pews where I thought others might want to sit. More than once, someone would
approach me and say, “You’re in my pew. Get out.” And then, moments later, I’d be
introduced as the guest preacher. The look on their faces was unforgettable—but the
rudeness was deeply saddening.
Such behavior makes it difficult for visitors to feel welcome. In some churches, pews
are even marked with brass plates from colonial times, indicating who paid for them.
Ironically, those front-row seats, once the most expensive, are now often the least
occupied.
The heart of these parables is simple: live as if Jesus is watching because He is. We do
not know the day or hour we will meet Him, whether through His return or our passing.
As disciples of Christ, we are called to reflect His glory, not our authority. We cannot
claim to follow Jesus while violating the very principles He taught.
This presents a challenge in today’s culture. Society typically promotes values that
conflict with the Gospel. Some churches have even adopted the view that Scripture is
merely a collection of ancient stories, not binding truth. They do this to attract people
who embrace cultural norms that are clearly anti-biblical.
But if Scripture is not the foundation of our faith, then we lose the ability to discern
right from wrong. We cannot be called hypocrites for breaking biblical principles if we
no longer believe those principles matter.
This may sound strong, and some may find it uncomfortable. But the truth is, we all
fall short. We all say and do things that Jesus would not approve of—especially when
we’re emotional or frustrated. That’s part of being human. However, Jesus gave His life
to offer us redemption. Through Him, we are forgiven and invited into eternal life.
The message of these parables is clear: we are responsible for our actions. Church
leaders may set policies, and denominations may adopt certain stances, but each of us
must choose how we live. If something goes against Scripture, we must have the
courage to abstain from it.
One day, each of us will stand before Jesus. We will answer for our words, our actions,
and the way we treated others. Let us live with integrity, humility, and love—not just in
church, but in every moment of our lives.
Let us be ready, not just for His return, but for the daily opportunity to reflect His grace
in a world that desperately needs it.
