Faithful Servant!

Devotional

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” Matthew 24:45–46

After his resurrection, Jesus restores Peter and in that moment, clearly defines the heart of Christian leadership. In John 21:15–17, after they had finished eating, Jesus says to him, “Feed my lambs… Take care of my sheep… Feed my sheep.” At first glance, these words sound similar, but in the original language Jesus is being very precise.

When Jesus says “feed,” He uses the word boske. It means to pasture or to nourish. This points to teaching, truth and spiritual food. God’s people must be fed if they are to remain healthy and grow.

When Jesus says “take care of,” He uses the word poimaine. This means to shepherd. It includes guiding, protecting, overseeing and leading. This goes beyond teaching. It speaks of responsibility and watchful care.

Now here is the key connection to our devotional text. This is exactly the same responsibility Jesus describes in Matthew 24. The faithful servant is put in charge of the household for one purpose: to give them their food at the proper time. Jesus is linking faithful leadership with feeding and caring for his people, and he places it in the context of his return.

Matthew 24 shows us how to live out the command “feed my sheep,” especially as we approach the end of the age. And while this speaks directly to leaders, it also applies to anyone who has been entrusted with spiritual influence or care over others. And that is all of us.

Look at how these passages align.

“Give them their food at the proper time” in Matthew 24 matches “feed my lambs” and “feed my sheep” in John 21. This is stewardship. The flock belongs to Christ. We are not owners, we are caretakers.

Our text says, “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns” speaking of vigilance. “Take care of my sheep” requires ongoing faithfulness. True obedience is not about good intentions but about consistent action.

Then Jesus speaks of greater trust and responsibility in Matthew 24:47. This flows from love for Christ. In John 21, everything begins with the question, “Do you love me?” Love leads to obedience, and obedience is sustained by the desire to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

But Jesus also gives a serious warning.

The wicked servant in Matthew 24:48–51 begins with one dangerous thought: “My master is delayed.” Once the expectation of the master’s return is lost, neglect sets in. Feeding stops. Care weakens. Authority turns into control. Fellowship shifts from God’s people to the world. Compromise follows.

Peter later echoes this warning. “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care… not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:2–4

The servant’s failure did not start with open rebellion. It started with neglect. He stopped feeding. He stopped caring. From there came abuse, compromise and, most importantly, the loss of a genuine longing for the master’s return.

At the centre of all this is expectation. The faithful servant lives differently because he is looking. He feeds and cares, not out of fear, but out of love and longing for the master’s return. When we lose sight of His return, service becomes heavy and love grows cold. When that hope is alive, obedience stays joyful and service remains steady.

Lord Jesus, you are the Chief Shepherd, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us. Help us to be faithful in what you have entrusted to our care with truth and love. Keep our hearts awake and our eyes lifted, always expecting your return. Protect us from neglect, compromise and distraction, and restore in us a deep longing for your appearing. May you find us serving with joy, loving well and doing what you asked when you come. Amen.