Are You Dressed and Ready for His Return? : Luke 12:35-38

 I saw this statement a few years ago: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performances. Five P’s that make a very strong point. Today there are hundreds of books that speak about preparing for the future. Our Scripture text today also speaks on this topic. Jesus said: "Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning ... 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 and will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 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, for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 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" (Luke 12:35-38).

Remember the 5-Ps: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performances. Today people draft wills in preparation for their death. When we act according to what we know, it demonstrates wisdom. Jesus said no man knows when he will return. That means, when he returns, if he finds us unprepared, we have no excuse. Therefore, the two most important questions we must ask ourselves are: Am I watching with expectation of the Lord's return, and what am I doing while I await his return? If we grasp the meaning of the "thief-in-the-night" concept, we'll agree "vigilance" is of great importance. When thieves break into homes, they often do so at nights, because [they know] the average person will be asleep. Today, people rely on alarm systems, cameras, and that quick phone call to the police. Yet, these systems do not always prevent the thief from breaking in. The thief's only objective is to visit when the person least expects it.

In the same manner, because we do not know the day Jesus will return, we should be vigilant while serving in the capacity he entrusted unto us. As stewards of God's Kingdom, we are commissioned to use our resources and gifts for the work of the Kingdom: feeding the poor, clothing the naked, helping the needy, visiting prisoners, looking out for widows and orphans… you know the rest. Our lives are not merely about us and our family. Our lamps must be burring so others can have light to see their way to the Lord whether we are on the job, at school, in the park, or at play. The moment your eyes open in the morning, you are on the job for Christ's sake. Lastly, Jesus said, "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 (John 12:48). So ask yourself: If he comes right this minute, how will he find me? Your answer will instruct you on what to do.

 

R.G.  10/08/25

Image: pixabay.com

 

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