It’s Time To Get Ready.

Think about a good friend that you haven’t seen in years. Now imagine that friend is coming for Christmas dinner. Or go one step further and call them up now and invite them!

Before they arrived, how would you get ready? Would you clean your house? Set the table? Prepare their favourite foods?

What if they couldn’t arrive until late in the evening? Maybe into the early hours of the morning? You’d likely leave a light on for them. Perhaps, you’d even stay up, waiting for them to arrive?

In Luke 12, Jesus tells of a blessed servant who stays up all night, leaving a lamp burning, waiting for his Master’s return.

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.

38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Lk. 12:35-40)

I believe there are 4 principles of servanthood found in this passage. 4 principles that can help us get ready for Christmas. As we journey through Advent, these principles remind us to become more like that blessed servant, ready for our Master’s return.

1. Understand The Servant’s Benefit

As we begin these principles, try to get a First Century mindset for a moment. Servanthood was a normal part of life.

If you were struggling financially, having trouble finding work, knowing that there’s no social assistance; servanthood was a great option! Entering into servanthood often meant shelter, clothing and 3 square meals a day for you and your family.

Our Benefit:

For those of us who have given our lives to Jesus Christ, we’ve enter into servanthood. When we give our lives to Jesus, we enter into servanthood. And we receive many blessings.

We receive Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. We receive the Father’s provision and protection. And we receive the sealing of the Holy Spirit, bring comfort and direction into every day of our service.

2. Imitate The Servant’s Readiness

There are two types of servants. The first is only temporarily ready. All is revealed when the Master is away. Laziness kicks in. Maybe tasting the Master’s wine or the Master’s food? His service is temporary, only ready for action when the Master is present.

The second servant, or as Jesus refers to the blessed servant, is always ready. Even into the 2nd or 3rd watch of the night, this servant stays faithful, leaving the lamp burning.

Our Readiness:

Are We Ready? What type of servant are we? While Jesus is away, is our light still burning bright? Are we dressed for action? Are we waiting expectantly for His return?

3. Accept The Servant’s Reward

Imagine the servant’s surprise when the Master returns! The Master removes his royal attire. He changes into a servant’s garments. He seats the servant at the table, and waits on him as if the servant is royalty.

Imagine the servant’s thankfulness for staying faithful!

Our Reward:

This is the fulfillment of Christian story! This is our future reward!

Tangibly, before communion, Jesus took of his ouster garment, tied a towel around Himself and washed the disciples feet. The Master become truly did become a servant!

Theologically, Paul write the following to the Roman Church.

“15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Rm. 8:15-17)

We are servants who have been brought into the Royal Family! Children of God and co-heirs with Christ!

4. Light The Servant’s Lamp

The servant’s lamp is always burning. If the light dims or burns out, the oil is quickly filled and the lamp is lit again. Always burning, waiting, anticipating that knock at the door, and the Master’s return.

Our Lamp:

What does Jesus reveal to us about our lamp? That our lamp should burn bright with His Light. Jesus said…

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12)

Jesus also said that we…

“…are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt. 5:14-16)

We keep our lamps burning in this life to show the world the light of the Gospel. Moreover, we keep our lamps burning, so that when our Master returns, He will find us at the ready.

Advent Devotional Challenge (Cont.)

Last week, I put out a devotional challenge to sustain us during the busy Christmas season. More importantly, to help us concentrate on the Lord’s Second Coming.

24 Chapters In 24 Days

The goal is to work through the entire Gospel of Luke, leading up to Christmas Day; 24 chapter over 24 days. Simply follow your calendar to know which chapter you should read today. And this week’s devotional prayer might look something like this:

“Lord, give me opportunities to be a faithful servant. Remind me to leave my lamp on so that Your light may shine. What do I need to do to get ready for Christmas? What do I need to do to get ready for Your return?“

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

What does a servant look like? What does a servant act like or talk like? How can we be better servant of Christ this Christmas?