Parables Of Jesus Christ: The Vigilant
by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

The Messiah's parable of the vigilant (not to be confused with the modern-day idea of "vigilantes" who take the law into their own hands - the LORD's vigilant obey God's Law by "observing," obeying, it):

"12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch [see Could Christ Return Tonight?], and find them so, blessed are those servants. 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (Luke 12:35-40 KJV)
"Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?"

Peter then asked if the lesson of the parable applied to everyone (Peter was apparently the most outspoken of the apostles, an at-times too forwardness that he may well have been better off not to have had e.g. see Peter's Prophecy).

Watching
"12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh 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.

12:47 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. 12:48 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." (Luke 12:41-48 KJV)

The Christ then also warned how the "eyes to see" comes on an individual basis, not necessarily (or usually) upon all members of a family at the same time - although everyone will have their opportunity, sooner or later (see When Will You Be Judged?).

"12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." (Luke 12:49-53 KJV)
Fact Finder: What "fire on the earth" was the Messiah referring to in Luke 12:49?
See Baptism Of Fire