Luke 12:38-48
“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”
Arnold T. Olson wrote: “Ever since the first days of the Christian church, evangelicals have been ‘looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ They may have disagreed as to its timing and to the events on the eschatological calendar. They may have differed as to a pre-tribulation or post-tribulation rapture – the pre- or post – or non-millennial coming. However, all are agreed that the final solution to the problems of this world is in the hands of the King of kings, who will someday make the kingdoms of this world His very own.
This agreement regarding the sure return of Jesus Christ to judge the living and the dead comes from the overwhelming evidence of Scripture.
There are 260 chapters in the New Testament, and Christ’s return is mentioned no less than 318 times in those chapters. Statistically, one verse in twenty-five mentions the Lord’s return”
Jesus Himself spoke often of His return. Shortly before His departure, He announced:
“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” Mark 13:26-27
In the upper room on the eve of His death He promised, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” John 14:3
Paul’s letters abound with references to Jesus’ return. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21
He later told the Thessalonians: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these word” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
John begins the book of Revelation with the warning: ““Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.” Revelation 1:7-8
The Scriptures shout that Jesus is coming again. Peter called this a ‘living hope’. (1 Peter 1:3). And Paul termed it ‘the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ’ (Titus 2:13) .
At this point in the gospel of Luke, we find the first extended teachings on the Second Coming as Jesus warned His followers to be ready. The positioning of this warning in the flow of Luke’s context is very natural and revealing. By recounting the parable of the rich fool, Jesus warned against material greed. He followed this with the exalted warning not to worry over material things. And now Jesus challenged His hearers’ to be ready for His return. Jesus saw readiness for His return as the antidote to greed and worry.
- HOW TO BE READY.
Jesus recommended that to be ready is being like a devoted, faithful servant. “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him.” Luke 12:35-36
Unlike our western celebrations which are all over in a matter of hours, a Hebrew wedding celebration could last several days, so that the time of the Master’s return would be anybody’s guess. The uncertainty didn’t put off these excellent servants. Though it was late at night, they were ‘dressed for service.’ So not only did they remain fully clothed, but also their long robes were tucked under their belts making it possible for them to move quickly to the door – they were prepared! The night was also bright because they vigilantly replenished the oil in their lamps and trimmed the wicks for maximum light. They were awake and alert! These servants were remarkable. They didn’t give into fatigue and they didn’t have an ‘attitude’. It’s a picture of how Jesus’ followers are to wait for Him. Its not to be a passive, lethargic wait, but one filled with active service, continual preparation and joyous anticipation. It was a lovely scene for the returning Master, but even better was what happened to the servants.
“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.” Luke 12:37
The Master was so moved by their faithfulness that instead of sitting down at the table to be served, He dressed Himself to wait on them! Several months later in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, when the Lord stripped Himself and wrapped a towel about his waist and washed the feet of the twelve (John 13:1-17) they were witnesses to an action that was both symbolic of His work in the Incarnation and prophetic of the messianic meal at the inauguration of the kingdom – the wedding supper of the Lamb.
At that meal, ‘people will come from the east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first and first who will be last.’ The future celebration in heaven is described very clearly in the book of Revelation.
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:6-9
This passage helps us to understand Jesus’ words in Luke 12:38.
“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak”
Remember the days we served in the army? The 2nd watch of the night is 10.00 pm to 2.00 am, the 3rd watch was 2.00 am to 6.00 am. So blessed are the servants who keep awake even during the middle of the night. Dressed for action. - with the lights on- why?
Because we are going to sit down at the feast of feasts as guests of the King of kings. Eternity is no sterile existence and it is intimate fellowship forever. So, when the going gets tough in this life, when you’re given a hard time just because you’re a Christian at work, or by unbelieving family members. When your true worth and value is not acknowledged, remember the reason why you’re fighting the fight. Remember the eventual outcome, remember who wins in the end, are you ready?
- Like a wise homeowner.
The other analogy Jesus used to urge people to be ready was that of a wise homeowner. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4:
“For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.”
Peter used similar language: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” 2 Peter 3:10
The risen Lord Himself said: “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Revelation 16:15
I remember very soon after I became a Christian in 1973,(16 years old) listening to Larry Norman who came out of the hippie generation of the 60’s, having long blond hair right down his back. He was part of ‘the Jesus people’ and carried his old guitar around with him. His theology was very simple, his favourite song was “I wish we’d all been ready.” The words of the song go: ‘man and wife asleep in bed, he turns his head, she’s gone (speaking of the rapture), I wish we’d all been ready’. Larry sang this song with great pathos and feeling. I don’t know what happened to Larry as in his very simple way, he was making a very important point, that Jesus’ return will be unexpected – ‘like a thief in the night’ and the world will not be prepared!
The TV networks, the world leaders, the false religions and most of the church will be caught out. But, the faithful will be ready because they see the signs of the times. They will be ready because they’ve obeyed the word and ‘waited for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.’ (Titus 2:13) They will be ready because their sleeves are rolled up and the lights are on as they labour for Christ.
- THE CONSEQUENCES OF ONE’S STATE OF READINESS.
This was electrifying teaching and the disciples’ minds were reeling at the implications. Peter asked a question they were all thinking: “Lord, are You telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” (verse 41). Jesus’ subsequent answer revealed that the parable was for the twelve – and then for others who would subsequently exercise authority over God’s people.
- Reward for the wise and faithful servants.
The servants of Christ who have been faithful in doing earthly responsibilities will at the return of Jesus be given vast permanent authority in eternity. These verses remind us of the importance, in the words of Ryle, “of a working, practical, diligent, useful religion. Its not the servant who is found wishing or even professing, but the servant who is found doing whom Jesus calls ‘blessed’”
Jesus highlights the same principles in the parable of the ten minas in Luke 19:15-17.
“He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’”
Exactly what kind of rewards we’d get in heaven, we really don’t know so there’s no point in speculating, but we can be sure that it will be joyous and most satisfying. I was reminded recently of the ministry of John Broadus, who was the faithful president of Southern Baptist Seminary during the civil war in America in the 1860’s. At the end of the war, the seminary had reduced to four professors and seven students – one of whom was blind. Only the blind student took Dr. Broadus’ course on preaching. Under such circumstances, many teachers would have been tempted to give less than their best. But not Dr. Broadus. He gave his all, every time he lectured. Those magnificent lectures became the substance for the most famous and influential of all books on homiletics in American history, “The Preparation and Delivery of Sermons.” Broadus’ authority was increased because he was a faithful servant. The final story is being written now, as Broadus serves Christ in the final estate.”
- Punishment for foolish and unfaithful servants.
Now the servant has not simply been lazy but monstrously unfaithful. A drunken glutton who beats up not only men but also women. An abuser of both divine trust and human life. His life is a gross perversion. When the Master (read Jesus) returns, the cruel servant suffers a grizzly end and Christ says he is an ‘unbeliever.’ Those in Christian leadership may profess what they will. They can use every Christian cliché, hold a Bible like Billy Graham and say “the Bible says…..”, they can build up a huge following but, if that man – or woman – consistently behaves in an unchristian way, he or she is not a true believer.
Paul told the Ephesians:
“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7
Everything will be revealed when Jesus returns, so we must make sure our life matches our profession.
- Just Punishment
Jesus tells us that ultimate justice will be meted out. The JSE and Wall Street will not expect it, the nations won’t have a clue. The world’s religions disbelieve it! To those, He will come as ‘a thief in the night.’
How can we be ready?
- By living a godly life that reflects the abundant truth God has given us.
- By joyful service.
Roll up your sleeves, turn on the lights, get ready – Jesus is coming soon! Some people by virtue of their greater knowledge, age, experience, and influence in the church will suffer far greater penalties for the same sin than an ignorant person will. James rightly warned, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1)
Equality at the end of this unfair world is a delectable thought. Praise God that He is such a judge that nothing will get by Him. Praise Him for His fairness and of course, praise Him for His grace – our only hope. Jesus summed it all up in a famous proverb:
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
We have so much. We have the word if the Old Testament, the word of the prophets, the word of the covenants. We have the word of the New Testament, the revelation of the Incarnation, the gospel of grace, the life and teachings of Jesus, the apostolic witness and teaching.
Conclusion.
The whole of Jesus message to us can be summed up in two words: GET READY! His return is as sure as His first visit! He will come when least expected.
Peter Wessels, Minister,
St Olav Church.