Watching and waiting

Read > Luke 12:35-48

He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever He comes, He will reward the servants who are ready (v. 38).

When I was a boy, my father left his job to start his own business. This required him to go to another part of the country for extended training over several weeks. Back home, all of the kids had jobs to do each week, but – with Dad gone – it was possible to slide by without doing them. After all, he wasn’t there to keep us on task. The thing that kept us in check, however, was the reality that we didn’t know when he would come home. It could have occurred any day after the first 2 weeks of his absence. I knew I didn’t want him to surprise us with his return and find my jobs undone, so I tried to keep up with my tasks so that he would be pleased when I saw him. It was a great lesson in accountability, but also a lesson in anticipation. As I watched and waited for my father’s return, it motivated me to keep up with what I had been instructed to do.

In Luke 12, Jesus is giving a similar challenge to His disciples – and to us. The illustration of the homeowner and the servants is one that is designed to encourage both accountability and anticipation (vv. 39-40). For if we truly believe that He could return at any moment, it should motivate us to be faithful with our kingdom responsibilities. Jesus said that this kind of faithfulness would not only be noticed – it would be rewarded. He declared, “If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward” (v. 43).

Yet, as wonderful as that is, the greatest satisfaction won’t come from the reward. It will come from knowing we have pleased the One who gave Himself for us. When He returns, will He find us faithful? – Bill Crowder

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·         1 Thessalonians 3:13

·         2 Peter 3:10-14

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In light of the promise of Christ’s return, how will you live today? What needs to change for you to become a servant prepared for action?