Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed arethose servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Luke 12:35-40

This chapter in Luke contains many things against the religious practices and attitudes of the Pharisees and other religious leaders in Israel during the first century. In contrast to their behaviors, Jesus teaches us how we are to act as His disciples, and He is very specific!

One aspect of discipleship that we should exhibit is a constant focus on the return of our Master. We do not know when He will come but we need to be eagerly waiting for His coming and looking forward to it. 

Many will use the return of Jesus as a way to scare people into obedience. They use passages such as these, and others, to threaten punishment from God if they do not obey. This may work to bring about outward observance but it does nothing to change the heart. You can scare a man into following but you cannot scare him into loving God!

I think Jesus makes a point in this that is often overlooked by those who misuse these verses. Notice verse 37. Jesus mentions something that is absolutely amazing. We have been waiting for Him and serving others while we wait. In the coming kingdom, Jesus will wait on us! Wow!!!

Jesus’ teaching is not intended as a warning to children of God for we are saved by grace alone. Therefore, Jesus is encouraging proper response to that grace in discipleship. Our focus should not be on self pleasure or things of this world. We should be continually looking to the the will of God in all areas of our lives. 

We are to be eagerly looking forward to our Lord’s return when we can be with Him forever. And while we wait,…

We work.