His Return and Our Readiness

Ready for the Master’s Return

Luke 12:35-59
35 “Be ready for service and have your lamps lit. 36 You are to be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. 37 Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn, and finds them alert, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 “Lord,” Peter asked, “are you telling this parable to us or to everyone?”

42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and starts to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten. 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.

49 “I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how it consumes me until it is finished! 51 Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does. 55 And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time? 57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge, the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”

His Return and Our Readiness
The passage from Luke 12:35-59 is a powerful reminder of the importance of being ready for the coming of the Lord. Jesus tells his disciples to be dressed in readiness, with their lamps burning, so that when the Son of Man comes, they will be able to open the door and welcome him in.

This passage is a call to action for all of us to be prepared for the coming of the Lord. We are called to be vigilant and watchful, always ready for his return. We are reminded that the Lord will come at an hour when we least expect it, and so we must be ready at all times.

The passage also reminds us of the importance of being faithful servants of the Lord. We are called to be good stewards of the gifts and talents that God has given us, using them to serve him and others. We are told that those who are faithful in small things will be entrusted with greater things.

In addition, the passage speaks of the importance of not being anxious or worried about the things of this world, such as food and clothing. Instead, we are told to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and the rest will be given to us.

We are also called to be generous in our giving, sharing what we have with those in need.
In summary, Luke 12:35-59 is a powerful reminder of the importance of being ready for the coming of the Lord, being faithful servants, not being anxious, seeking first the kingdom of God and being generous.

In light of this message, let us commit to being ready for the coming of the Lord, by living our lives in a way that pleases him, serving him with all our hearts, and being a blessing to those around us. May the Lord bless us as we strive to be the faithful servants he calls us to be.