This week in our series in Luke, we are reflecting on Luke 12:35-57. Today we see how we are to live each day in readiness for the return of Christ.
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 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. 37 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. 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. 39 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. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”’ (Luke 12:35-40
Lesson: Each day we are to live as one ready and waiting for Jesus’ return.
To listen to this video, follow the link below:
I guess that most of us look forward to the weekend. Or we look forward to a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday… And, depending on the thing we are looking forward to, we may have to do a lot of preparation. This being so, how many of us also look forward to Jesus’ return? and are we preparing for it?
Jesus uses this analogy of servants waiting for their master to return home from a wedding banquet to illustrate how we are to wait for His coming. Like these servants, we are to be ‘dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.’
Being dressed and with burning lamps is about vigilance and active preparation. To be ‘dressed for action’, in the context of the New Testament, was to tie up one’s robe so as not to trip. The language used means that this is about constantly being dressed for action - constantly being in readiness.
They are told to ‘keep your lamps burning’; burning lamps reminds us of what we studied in the last chapter where we read:
‘“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.”’ (Luke 11:33-34)
Those who are waiting for Christ are those who allow the light of His Word to fill them and shine from them. Those who truly believe in Jesus’ return will be those who are most given to listening to Him and serving Him and His mission. In light of Jesus’ coming they are ‘dressed’ - they are seeking to honour Christ; and they have bright lamps - are allowing the light of truth and the gospel to shine from them.
To further teach us to be ready for His coming, Jesus also uses this analogy of protecting a house against burglary. He likens His coming to the coming of a thief - comparing the unknown time of His coming with the unexpected time of the coming of the thief. The point He’s making is that although we don’t know the exact time, we do know that He is coming and so we should be in constant readiness.
Jesus teaches us that readiness is required and is rewarded. He tells us that:
'"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.”’
This surprising response to those who are ready. It is reminiscent of The Last Supper when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. Whatever this means, it signifies reward and honour for those who are ready and waiting for Jesus. Those who are ‘dressed’, who have ‘lamps burning’, and who are alert like those who are protecting their home will be rewarded when Christ comes.
Response
Each day we are to live as one ready and waiting for Jesus’ return. Are we as aware of Jesus’ coming as we should be? Let these words remind each of us today:
‘Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 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 labor 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.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4)
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message on Sunday was entitled, Living in light of Jesus love and His return. In this section, we see how Jesus’ love for us caused Him to suffer ‘be baptised’ to save us; We are also challenged to respond and ask if our love for Christ leads to costly loyalty whilst we with for His coming?
Please read Luke 12:35-57, and discuss:
Note - We only covered verses 49-53 on Sunday, so do use the devotionals which will help us to reflect on the rest of the section.
What would you say is the main message and application of Luke 12:35-57?
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
Read 12:35-48: How does Jesus want us to live in the light of His coming?
Read 12:49-53:
What can be the cost of living for Christ and are we prepared for this?
What does it mean for Jesus to be ‘baptised’ for us?
SIV - How does our preparedness to suffer make us more effective in helping to bring people to Jesus?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
Let’s pray together that, this week, we will have opportunities to SIV; and pray for anything else that's come out of our time in God’s Word.
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