Luke 12:35-40
35 “ Be prepared, and keep your lamps lit.
36 You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks.
37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will prepare himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and he will come up and serve them.
38 Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
40 You too, be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think He will.”
The Return of the Son of Man
Unexpected rewards
The teaching continues: do not fix your eyes on earthly possessions that will one day disappear but rather pay attention to what is certain to come to pass. What is certain to come to pass is the return of the Son of Man (Jesus). In this passage, Jesus tells the parable of servants waiting for their master who has gone to a wedding feast. The servants stay awake through the night, ready for their master to return at any time. The servants are to open the door immediately when their master returns and knocks. Moved by the faithfulness of the servants, the master has them sit at the table, and he begins to serve them himself. The roles of master and servant are reversed. Such a reversal could never happen in ordinary life. However, in the kingdom of God, what seems impossible in reality becomes reality. God is the One who gives unexpected rewards to faithful servants. Paul says this: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the human heart, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). Have you ever experienced unexpected blessings from God in your walk so far? Let us recall the grace we’ve received in the past and be strengthened by believing that God’s blessings will continue in the future.
Unexpected time
Next, Jesus told the parable of a homeowner preparing for a thief, in order to teach that the Son of Man will return at an unexpected time. The house is made of clay bricks. That was common in those days. The thief is trying to dig through the clay wall and break into the house. If the homeowner knew what time the thief was coming, he could prevent the break-in. However, since we do not know when, the only way is to remain constantly watchful. Through this parable, Jesus taught us the importance of being prepared. In life, there are some things whose timing is unknown, yet their coming is certain. (1) The reality of aging. (2) The reality of death. (3) The reality of the return of Jesus. These will certainly come to every person. At that time, what will you place your trust in? Can earthly wealth or status save you? Let us now pray together with David: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4).
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, in this age when the return of the Lord Jesus is drawing ever closer, please protect me so that I do not fall into spiritual slumber. Help me to walk by faith so that I will be ready even if the Lord returns today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.