THE ABSENTEE HOUSEHOLDER
‘It is as when a man, sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch.’
Mark 13:34 (R.V.).
The parable makes it quite plain that our Lord is now in the position of an absentee householder. He is ‘sojourning in another country.’ So He said in His high priestly prayer: ‘I am no more in the world, and these are in the world.’ But the Church is still His house. Nor has He forgotten us. He has gone to take possession of heaven in our name. ‘The Forerunner is for us entered within the veil.’ There He remembers us continually. Yet we are left without any visible Director or Head. His Church is a well-appointed household with a large staff of servants; but the personal oversight of the Master has long been lacking. He is with us indeed—by His Word, by His Sacraments, by His Spirit; but He is not with us in visible bodily presence. He is sojourning in another country, cut off from us so far as all ordinary communications of sight and hearing are concerned.
I. Because of the long absence of the Master there is often much slackness among the servants. The Master’s interests are not studied as carefully as they should be, and the work appointed is neglected or only perfunctorily performed. Sometimes, indeed, the servants are puffed up with pride, they get lax through indulgence and neglect, they waste the Master’s goods, misrepresent His teaching, and enter into discreditable alliances with His enemies. In such cases there is no Master’s flashing eye or commanding voice to rebuke and restrain, and if in their carelessness they neglect secret prayer and Bible study they soon cease to hear the still small voice of the Comforter, they forget their high calling, and their hearts wax gross and hard.
II. Slackness is seen in three directions:—
(a) The slack servant begins to doubt the sufficiency of His authority. He relies more upon human philosophy and intellectual strength, or upon ecclesiastical and political influence, than upon the still small voice of the Spirit.
(b) These slackers are shirkers. They are so wrapped up in their personal comfort and enjoyment, so anxious about their own safety and reputation, so intent upon laying up treasure on earth and keeping on good terms with the world, that they shirk the work the Master gave them.
(c) And they fail in yet another matter. ‘He commanded the porter to watch.’ He meant His servants to remember how He had promised to return. Every remembrance of Him, especially that at the appointed Communion Feast, was to be a looking forward as well as a looking back. They were to be on the watch, lest, coming suddenly, He should find them sleeping.
III. Remedy for slackness.—‘Who then is that faithful and wise servant whom his Master when He cometh shall find so doing?’
(a) Faithfulness. The faithful servant—he who is pure in his aims, sincere of heart, diligent in duty, impartial in judgment, constant and persevering in application—is always ready to welcome the returning Master.
(b) We must be wise as well, not with worldly prudence, but with Spirit-taught foresight and discretion. Realising our limited knowledge, we must have the good sense to seek the guidance of Him Who knoweth all things.
—Rev. F. S. Webster.
Illustration
‘Here is a West-End house, the owner of which is travelling or at his country residence. He is not expected back for some time, and the house, left to the care of a small staff of servants, presents a somewhat melancholy appearance. But a telegram announces an alteration of plans and, with the prospect of the master’s immediate return, everything is changed. Fires are lit and windows thrown open, additional help is secured, and charwomen and window-cleaners are hard at work, that the master may find his house clean, well ventilated, and in perfect order. Which of these two pictures represents the condition of the Church of Christ to-day?’