The Lord Jesus knew that He would be rejected and put to death by the hatred of the rulers and that He would return to God the Father in heaven. He knew that many would not want to hear His name and would try to harm those who loved Him. It would be hard for them to tell people of Him as the One who died for sinners.
So He said the disciples would be “servants” for Him while He would be away. He said they were to “gird” themselves. In those times men wore loose garments, which they girded, or held firm by a belt or sash while working (see Ephesians 6:1414Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Ephesians 6:14)).
His servants would prepare for His work by learning and keeping God’s words, which would keep their ways right. Jesus also said they were to have their “lights burning.” The streets in cities were not lighted as now, and on dark nights every man carried his own lamp or torch.
God’s words would be the “light” to guide these “servants,” so they would know the right path and also could show others, for their work would be to tell those who did not know God or His son Jesus.
Serving the Saviour
Jesus would be a good Master, and would know all His “servants” would do for Him and would fully reward them. But He knew how some of their own friends or families would not want to hear them and that it would be hard to be faithful.
Sometimes people speak of serving Christ to receive eternal life with Him, but God’s Word teaches such life can be given only because of Christ’s death to bear the punishment of sins. His true servants want to serve Him because they know Him as their Saviour.
Clear Evidence and Closed Eyes
All the people of that land should have known that Jesus was their promised Messiah, for the Scriptures told that He would give sight to the blind, and heal their diseases. So when Jesus did all those wonders, as no other could, they should have known who He was. The things He did and His words should have been as signs for them.
Jesus said they could tell what the weather would be by the clouds and the wind, but they did not recognize the time promised by the Lord.
All the disciples later went everywhere to tell of the Lord Jesus, excepting Judas who was not honest or true. There must have been many boys and girls who heard Jesus’ words who did not forget Him and became servants for Him, too, telling others of Him.
Further Meditation
1. How did the Lord comfort His disciples?
2. God has given us the light of His Word. What makes it necessary? Where does God refer to His Word as light?
3. Nice simple meditations on light from God’s Word can be found in Seekers for Light by W. T. P. Wolston.