Get Ready and Stay Ready

Be Prepared for the Return of Jesus (Luke 12:35-36)

Explanation: The context of this parable follows the Parable of the Rich Fool. Between the 2 parables Jesus taught about not being anxious about material possessions. He taught that the wise believer would store up treasure in heaven, but not on the earth where it would be corrupted, stolen, or left to another.

Jesus introduces the Parable of the Watchful servant immediately after that teaching, and we aren’t told it was a parable until Peter identifies it as such in his question to Jesus at the end of the parable (v. 41) It is indeed a parable and Jesus uses it to teach that each generation of believers must be actively anticipating His Return.

Jesus gives three action items for believers in this regard.

Let you loins be girded about. In the first century the apparel was the flowing robe or tunic. This fashion was suited to the hot and dry climate of Palestine. Some from the Middle East still wear robes in the present day. When a person was actively working the flowing robes would be an impediment to quick motion - easy to get tangled up. The solution was to “gird up” or to tuck the flowing material into the belt so the legs would be free for action. (cf. 1 KIngs 18:46).

We don’t wear robes so to take this command literally seems outdated. When we look at the intent, however, we come to see what our course of action is to be. The purpose is to be ready for a quick response, not encumbered to the point of uselessness.

Illustration: Taking a trip to TN when our kids were young. We had to pack up so much stuff it was ridiculous! Instead of a 10 minute stop at the drive-through you spend 45 minutes to an hour in McDonald’s!

Argument: Many Christians are not meeting this expectation. The idea of waiting for Jesus to come back IS NOT just sitting around with our eyes to the sky. We are to be actively serving in the Name of Jesus, striving to be used to make an Eternal impact.

Remember the context of this parable: Jesus was just teaching about not collecting earthly treasures. So many believers are much more invested in this world than the next one. We are unable to respond quickly for Kingdom service because we are so entangled in the affairs of this life.

Application: Travel light! Consider the value of what you are pursuing; ask the question of how it assists in furthering the kingdom.

The other two commands are similar in nature:

Keep your lights burning is a reference to good stewardship. The method of lighting was oil lamps and it was necessary to keep a supply of oil on hand. When the lamp burnt out at 10:30pm, you couldn’t ride your donkey down to the village Wal-mart and get more oil. You had to plan ahead.

Illustrate: Turning in the volunteer names to the prison 2 weeks in advance. We do this for background checks; we don’t just show up at the gate. If we tried that, we would not get inside to do the camp.

Argument: The way we miss this is by “spiritualizing.” We mistakenly think that God will just work it out for us, even if we fail to plan. We presume upon God in that we think He is obligated to keep us from facing the consequences of our laziness or slothfulness.

Application: We should make plans if everything depends on us, and we should pray as if everything depends on God.

The final command is to be ready as a servant to greet the Master when He returns. The idea presented is the servant is in position. The Master was away at a wedding banquet and when he does return, the servant, because he is in position, is able to “open unto him immediately.” The Master is not left waiting outside the house while the servant is stumbling out of bed looking for his lamp and tripping over his bedclothes!

Those who are vigilant will be blessed by the Master (Luke 12:37-39)

Explanation: The next three verses of the parable relate to the condition of the prepared servant. The term blessed is used twice to describe the vigilant servant. An unusual feature of this parable has the Master rewarding the vigilant servants by a role reversal: the servants are privileged to recline at table while the Master serves them.

It is worth noting the inclusion of the lateness of the Master’s Return (He could come back in the 2nd or 3rd watch of the night. Depending upon which system Luke is employing (Roman or Jewish) this could be anywhere from midnight to 4am.

Argument: This is an amazing declaration of the Supreme Confidence of the Master. He is not concerned about image (remember how Jesus took the role of the servant in John 13 when He washed the disciples’ feet), and He is willing to treat His servants lavishly.

The continual readiness is required due to timing of Jesus 2nd Advent (Luke 12:39-40)

Explanation: Jesus introduces another element in the parable that enhances the idea of continual watchfulness. Jesus mentions the thief in the night, a recurring analogy used in the NT to refer to the timing of the Second Advent. In this case, Jesus makes a reference to the inability for anyone to know the time of the return. Just as a thief doesn’t share the details of his planned robbery with the home owner, neither does Jesus give His disciples an exact timetable for His return. (Cf Matt 24:42-44; 1 Thess 5:2)

The teaching of the parable is not an injunction against sleeping. We all need to sleep. The literal point in the story was the Master was out and the servant stayed up until He returned. In terms of Jesus’ 2nd Advent, He is telling the disciples that they will not be able know the exact timing. Just like the thief comes unexpectedly, so the Return of Christ will be sudden and unexpected.

Believers will be held accountable according to what they have been given (Luke 12:48)

Explanation: After hearing the parable Peter asks Jesus if the parable relates to the general crowd or them as disciples. Jesus answers Peter’s question with one of his own relating to stewardship. Jesus tells the disciples that the parable relates to Christian leaders and that they will be held accountable for their stewardship of responsibility.

Jesus repeats the reward of blessedness for the leader who manages well in the Master’s absence (vv. 43-44)

Jesus then gives three scenarios of judgment upon the servants who abuses his position of stewardship:

In the first example, the steward realizes the Master is delayed so he abuses his office. He gets drunk and beats the servants under him. At the Master’s return at an unexpected time, this steward is chopped up and cast out with the unbelievers (vv. 45-46)

In the second example the steward is aware of his responsibilities, but neglects to do them. This steward is unprepared for the Master’s return, so he receives a severe punishment (v. 47)

In the final example, the steward does not act in a worthy manner, but was unaware of his responsibilities is also punished, but much less severely (v. 48)