August 29, 2016
READY OR NOT, HE IS COMING BACK!
Luke 12:35–48
Teresa Graybill
Central Truth
Jesus has been gone for thousands of years, yet Scripture tells us that He will return. While the exact date is unknown, we are given details about what to look for. The Bible guides us in living a life that will help us and others prepare for His unexpected arrival.
Key Verse | Luke 12:40
"You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Luke 12:40)
Luke 12:35–48
You Must Be Ready
35 Stay dressed for action 1 12:35 Greek Let your loins stay girded; compare Exodus 12:11 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 2 12:37 Or bondservants 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 3 12:39 Some manuscripts add would have stayed awake and 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.”
41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 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? 43 Blessed is that servant 4 12:43 Or bondservant; also verses 45, 46, 47 whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 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, 46 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. 47 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. 48 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.
Dive Deeper | Luke 12:35–48
Growing up, I was taught that being late is disrespectful to the ones you leave waiting. I can usually prevent this by setting my clocks ahead. My poor family rarely knows what time it really is, but we are seldom late! Soon, quickly, unexpectedly, and near are all words used concerning the timing of the Lord's return. Am I alone in thinking that He appears to be late? Or worse . . . did He forget about us?
In 2 Peter 3:9 we are reassured that "[t]he Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." What I am inclined to call late, God calls patient. He even gives an answer for the appearance of delay—waiting for more souls to repent and be included in His Kingdom.
Personally, I would be excited if today is THE day. The day of Jesus' return. I know that He has cleansed me from my sins and that I will spend eternity with Him. I can't wait! In my lifetime there have been many predictions of the exact date of Jesus' return. I look to the clouds and blood moons hopeful that maybe this will be the day. When the day passes and the next day comes, I'm always a little disappointed. However, I am quickly filled with gratitude—not for myself, but for those who don't know Jesus as their LORD and Savior. I pray that He gives them another day and then another one after that until as many as possible can be welcomed as His children!
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Romans 10:14) God invites me to participate in His rescue mission of others so that they also will be ready. I have the privilege of preaching the Word and doing the work of an evangelist to help others prepare for Jesus' return.
Discussion Questions
1. Is your heart waiting expectantly for Jesus' return? If not, what is distracting you? Will you share this with your community of friends?
2. Do you fill your days with things that have little eternal value? Who can help evaluate your priorities and make changes so that you will be ready when He knocks unexpectedly at the door?
3. Do you have friends and family members who would not be ready if today was THE day? Stop now and pray Acts 26:18 for them. ("[O]pen their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [Jesus].")