How different would our lives be if we created a more regular habit of questioning: “when is He coming back?” Would things that we find ourselves doing, saying, or thinking become more meaningful? Would the way we led our families, community, coworkers, or even strangers grow to be more aligned with how we saw Jesus Himself serve those types of people? Or perhaps, the material items you own will become less sweaty in your hands, as you learn to release your tightened grip from them? I believe its be safe to say that life would become more about “[staying] dressed for action and [keeping] your lamps burning” [v. 35].

But beyond that, what if we allowed ourselves to not just merely question this, but to take it a step further and yearn for it. Changing that question of “when is He coming back?” into a continuous cry of “Maranatha--come, Lord Jesus, come!” In which, we run away from the temptations of abusing His delay, and instead yearn, anticipate, and prepare daily for His promised Second Coming. We don’t need to know the day or hour; we just need to pursue the will of the Father--to put His Kingdom first--and to know that regardless of when it comes, it will be worth every laugh and every tear that this life has brought our way.

If we believe the Bible is the truth and infallible, then let us take this Passage below (including the challenging truths in vv. 45-48) with the utmost sincerity to grow into more vigilant and diligent disciples of Jesus, as we trust Him at His word and rest in His promises.

Maranatha, brothers and sisters.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

[Luke 12.35-48]

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Who is the master in this passage? And who are the servants?

+ How much preparation and resources would go into making v. 35 a reality? Especially considering the servants didn’t know when the master was coming back…

+ What kind of foundation or motivation would these servants need to have in order to desire to make sure they were ready for the master’s arrival?

+ If successful, what do these servants show that they are to the master?

+ What does v. 37 mean?

+ Look at the consequences for the servants that live for themselves vs. live for the master’s will.

+ What does it mean to be ‘faithful’? What does this look like in this section of verses?

+ Why does the servant in v. 45 act out in the way that they do? [Think weariness of remaining faithful, or cynical, or abusive of their gifts/talents…]

+ What happens when we begin to love the will of the Master over our own? [Note: Rightly ordered loves by St. Augustine]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Which servant have I been acting like?

+ How might I “stay dressed for action”? What about some ways to “keep [my] lamp burning”?

+ If I find myself leaning towards growing weary or cynical, then take some time to reflect over the recent months and years to write out the Lord’s faithfulness unto me.

+ Do I desire to know the will of the Master over making my own will be done?

+ What disciplines can I be working on in my everyday life to grow closer to the Father’s will?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Is there anyone I have been acting like v. 45 to that I need to ask for forgiveness and share how Jesus is changing my mindset?