Being Prepared

Luke 12:35-48

Most people have heard the old saying, “what you don’t know can’t hurt you.” Unlike most of those old sayings, this one is patently false. Not knowing that a chemical is poisonous can lead to death, as can not knowing that a rock is poised to fall or that a rope is about to break. It is critical that we learn to know what is around us for our own protection.

A far more valuable and accurate saying is “Forewarned is forearmed.” If we are aware of the danger, we can take steps to avoid or minimize it, but if we are unaware of it, we will not. A cousin of mine has contracted a disease known as Brueger’s Disease because she had no knowledge that it even existed and engaged in activities that made it possible to develop. The Boy Scout Motto is “Be Prepared.” If one is, it is far easier to deal with what happens. Jesus instructs his followers to “Be Prepared.”

“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.” (Luke 12:35-36)

We are told repeatedly that the Lord will return to take his people to heaven. Many spend great amounts of effort trying to determine just when he will come, ignoring his statement that it will happen at time when we aren’t expecting him. Matthew 24 gives more information on this teaching of Jesus. Matthew 24:44 Commands, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:36 states that no man knows the time. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

When the disciples asked him about the time, Jesus said we were not to know the time in Acts 1:7. “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” This definitely goes against a lot of popular teaching today, which seems to be designed to create a sense of fear and urgency, rather than of growing faith. Jesus teaches that the ones who will be blessed are the ones faithfully doing the job when he comes, rather than those who are rushing around to get things ready at the last moment.

“Blessed are those 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.” (Luke 12:37-38)

We are told that he will come like a thief in the night. As Jesus says, if we knew when the thief would come, we could just plan to be ready at that time. Since we don’t know, we have to be ready at any moment. He has prepared something special for those who are ready when he comes.

“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 12:39-40)

Like Matthew 24:44, Jesus said it will happen at a time when believers are not expecting it. Since we are not to even know the times or seasons, any attempt to set a date is clearly bogus. We are to be prepared at all times.

“Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?” (Luke 12:41)

Peter’s question was “is this just for us Apostles, or is it for everyone?” Jesus responded with a tremendous teaching about taking responsibility for the Job we have been given, whatever it might be. It targets those who are charged with teaching others in particular.

“And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.” (Luke 12:42-44)

God has put pastors and teachers in position to feed the flock spiritually. The ones who have done that job faithfully will be rewarded because they have done the job they were given.

On the other hand , if the pastor or teacher begins to abuse his position, making the people bow to his will and disciplining those who don’t do what he wants, or making himself rich through the ministry, he will face judgment. Literally many of them will find they are in hell because they didn’t believe, just like other unbelievers.

“But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” (Luke 12:45-46)

Pleading ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse. Deliberate disobedience, called iniquity, will be severely judged, because it was deliberate and intentional. Ignorance will be judged because we had the opportunity to know what God expected, and were not concerned enough to find out. God has given us his Word, and he has given us the Holy Spirit to teach us. We have no excuse for not knowing.

“And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:47-48)

The greater responsibility we’ve been entrusted with, the greater returns will be expected. It is not unreasonable to hold those in a level of leadership to a higher standard. By taking the job, they accept the responsibility.