The Parable of Jesus: A Lifestyle of Readiness

"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,  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.  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.  If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!  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.  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."  Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.  Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.  But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,  the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.  And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.  But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. - Luke 12:35‭-‬48 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Many of the parables spoke of what it is required to be a disciple. It is freely given, but it will cost everything. It is not a nice comfortable coast into heaven. Jesus spoke of daily taking up our cross. It is difficult. We don't need grace only to start a relationship with Jesus, but rather we need grace for our daily Christian walk. Our Christian walk begins with, is sustained by, and is finished by the grace of God.

Reason for readiness

Stay dressed for action. People of that day wore robes. In order to run or fight, they had to wear a belt to hold their robe out of the way.

Keep your lamp ready. In an age without electricity, they had to prepare. The lamp had to have oil. It has to be lit before night comes.

Servants had to be prepared for the Master of the house. They had to keep watch during ungodly hours of night. They could be caught sleeping or slacking off at any time.

Jesus was speaking of the kingdom of God. It comes unexpectedly. So are we distracted, spiritually asleep, or otherwise unready for the second coming of Jesus?

The second coming is not something that only cult leaders focus on. We are not to try and predict it. Jesus says we cannot predict it. But the New Testament speaks of the second coming once every 13 verses in the Epistles. It is a central doctrine in Jesus' message.

Lifestyle of readiness

Some servants stop working and start drinking and feasting for themselves. But other faithful servants keep focused on their tasks and the desires of their master. It is a proactive waiting. The second coming is spiritually sobering. We see with clarity how some things are so petty and not worth our attention. We don't want to waste our time.

Readiness is found in steadfast prayer. They are loving others in sincerity. They are working faithfully for the kingdom of God by the grace of God.

Response of the Master

Those who are found not living for Jesus, eating and feasting, are cut into pieces and put with the unfaithful. Those who only pay lip service to Christ will be judged. The servants' punishment differs depending upon those who are blatantly disobedient, consciously disobedient, or unknowingly disobedient. We will be judged by the time, talent, and ability we have been given from God.

This is not directed to unbelievers. This is spoken to Christians. So what does that mean for those who are dependent​ upon grace and faith alone? The life and resurrection of Jesus secures our salvation. So then how do we reconcile this? Heavenly reward for living rightly. There is a reward for lives lived out fully and completely for the kingdom of God. The ones who don't will still make it to heaven, but only as "one escaping through the games". So there is a sense of loss for the one who lives unready for the coming kingdom. It is opportunity cost. Not living urgently for the kingdom of God will bring eternal regret.