“Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” Luke 12:35-39
The watch word is watch. The call is to ever be vigilant, alert, and expectant. This is how Second Coming people live.
To be dressed in readiness is to be prepared for swift and sudden action. In the ancient world, long robes were worn, and tucking the length on the robe into one’s waist was necessary to be ready to run quickly.
Keeping a lamp lit reminds us of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1–13. A burning lamp can symbolize faith in operation through the Spirit.
Wise servants are prepared for the return of the Master, no matter the hour. And, in a stunning reversal of roles, the master who finds his servants awake and ready, will Himself put on the servant’s clothes and serve them at the table! In this we see the humility and grace of Christ.
The imagery of Jesus’ teaching here illustrates the priorities for believers: be watchful, prepared, faithful, and expectant. It calls to mind something seen in a church bulletin. Listing the upcoming events from the calendar, the last event listed was the Second Coming of Jesus. The exact date has not been revealed (nor should we speculatively try to set a date!), but it is a date even more certain than the next board meeting, potluck dinner, and regular church worship service. Live and prepare for its certainty!
Some are dismissive of the return of Christ in light of the considerable passage of time since these words were spoken. The seeming delay is the very issue that Jesus addressed. Let us not be lulled into believing that delay is denial; that He will not return. “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect” Luke 12:40.
©Steve Taylor, 2025 --Used by permission
Be sure to also see Amazon ebook & print devotional and podcast: New Day Dawning.