Always Prepared

The old factory in Hopedale, Massachusetts. 

Scripture:

Luke 12:35   “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; ³⁶ be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. ³⁷ Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. ³⁸ If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

Observation:

Discipleship is something for which we need to be continually prepared. Jesus gives examples of those who are ready to do the will of the Father at all times. What follows is a list of activities which would have been familiar to those living within Roman households. To be dressed for action was to “gird your loins.” This meant that a man would pull up his tunic and tuck it in at the waist so that he could run, or be ready for work. Lamps were lit so that work could go on, even in the dark. Wedding receptions were often week-long events and the servants of a household might not know when their master would come home. They were to be prepared at any moment for the master’s return. 

Then the story took a sudden and sharp shift. The Master was pleased with those who were alert and then he did something that was completely out of the traditional role. The Master girded his own loins — invited the servants to sit down and eat and served them. Next there is a reference to the three watches of the night, which some have thought refers to seasons of life. Therefore whether we are a child, an adult, or a senior adult, we are to remain awake and alert, ready to receive the Master, who, as in the marriage supper of the lamb, will welcome us to his table. 

These comments from Augustine on this passage are fascinating: 

What does it mean to gird the loins? It is to restrain lustful appetites. This is about self-control. To have lamps burning is to shine and glow with good works. This is about justice. He was not silent here as to why we should do these things, adding to his statement, “And you yourselves should be like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding.” When he comes, he will repay us who have restrained ourselves from yielding to what lust has demanded and who have done what love has commanded, that we might reign in his perfect and everlasting peace, free from the struggle of evil and enjoying the supreme delight of good. (ON CONTINENCE 7}.

Application:

Sometimes I wonder whether I’m always prepared to be an example of what it means to follow Christ. Do you ever have those moments when you’re caught off guard and you have a bad attitude about something? That happens from time to time and then I stop and have to ask the Lord to help me to be a good and consistent follower. I want my life to be a testimony to the loving presence of the Lord in this world — not to be something that would make people back away from Christ. 

When we compartmentalize our Christian walk, then somehow, we think that it should only influence what we do on Sunday, or when we attend a small-group Bible Study. The rest of the week is up for grabs! However, that’s not the way that it’s supposed to be. Whether we are young or old, a seasoned believer, or new in the faith, we are to live our lives ready for the Master to return, and taking good care of his resources in his absence. 

Chuck and I went for a walk the other night in a small town in Massachusetts. There, at the end of the pond was a huge dilapidated building. It used to be one of the largest factories for textile equipment in the world. For nearly 50 years the buildings have stood empty and no one has cared to keep them in good repair. The windows are all broken, the roof is caving in and nature is reclaiming her ground. You see, when no one is keeping the property up and cared for, it falls into complete disrepair. The same is true with God’s kingdom property which is to be in the care of the Father’s disciples. We are to be responsible for the upkeep of the kingdom in the Father’s absence — and we have no idea when he will return. Let us not become lazy, but let’s show self-control, participate in good works of justice, and someday, we will be invited to dine at the Master’s table. 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to be attentive to following you every moment of every day. Amen.