Be Ready for the Master’s Return
The Christian Professional Journal is here to offer faith-based insights and encouragement to help you navigate work and life with purpose. Together, we’ll explore how to keep Faith First, Excellence Always, as we grow and walk boldly in God’s calling.
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them” (Luke 12:35-38).
Luke 12:35–40
This section of Scripture marks the beginning of Jesus’ teaching on readiness and judgment. It’s a continuation of His call to live for what truly matters.
When Jesus says, “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning,” He uses imagery that His listeners would instantly recognize. In the first century, long robes were tucked into belts when people needed to move quickly or work diligently and it symbolized readiness for action.
The phrase “keep your lamps burning” speaks of spiritual alertness, being faithful, and ongoing readiness. In those days, clay lamps had to be refilled with oil, their wicks trimmed, and their flames protected from the wind. It was deliberate, consistent care and a symbol of perseverance and devotion.
Likewise, our faith must be nourished daily through prayer, Scripture, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. To keep our lamp burning means to live ready, staying faithful in our assignments, steadfast in love, and diligent in serving God while we await Christ’s return.
Then Jesus gives the picture of servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet. The wedding represents an unpredictable timeframe. The master could return at any hour. In ancient homes, the servants would stay awake, lights lit, ready to open the door the moment he arrived.
Jesus calls for: expectant readiness.
The deeper spiritual truth is that we are those servants. Jesus is the returning Master. His “delay” is mercy, giving humanity time to repent and believe (2 Peter 3:9). But His return will be sudden, like a thief in the night.
Verses 37–38 reveal the astonishing reversal of roles: the faithful servants are honored by their Master, who girds Himself and serves them. This image anticipates the humility of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). It foreshadows the heavenly banquet when the faithful will sit with Him in glory.
In verses 39–40, Jesus introduces the image of a thief breaking into a home at night. The point is simple yet profound: His return will be unexpected. The only way to be ready is to live faithfully, tending your faith daily, walking in obedience, and keeping your heart devoted to the Master.
So, are You Ready and Faithful in the Waiting?
In Luke 12, Jesus has been speaking about greed, worry, and our preoccupation with material things. Then, He shifts the focus from wealth and worry to watchfulness. It’s a change in tone, but not in purpose. The same heart remains: What truly matters is the Kingdom.
Jesus tells His disciples to “be dressed and keep your lamps burning.” In other words, stay ready. Be awake. Be active. Don’t drift into spiritual drowsiness.
It’s easy to grow weary in faith when nothing seems to be happening. Like servants waiting for their master to return late from a wedding banquet, we might start to wonder, Is He really coming? But Jesus says, keep your lamp burning anyway.
The Danger of Complacency
Spiritual dullness can creep in through comfort, distraction, and delay.
We say, “I’ll get serious about God later,” “I’ll pray more when life slows down,” or “I know what I should do, but maybe next season.”
But next season often never comes.
Like a soldier who dozes off on night watch, we risk losing awareness of what’s happening spiritually in our hearts, our homes, and our world. And when we sleep, our oil runs low. Our lamps dim.
The truth is, the Master could come at any time. Jesus warns, “Whether He comes in the second watch or even in the third, blessed are those servants whom the Master finds watching.”
The Reward of Readiness
Here’s the beauty of this parable: when the Master returns and finds His servants ready, He does the unthinkable. He serves them.
What a stunning picture of Christ!
The Lord of all, the One who deserves our service chooses to serve those who remained faithful. The King girds Himself, seats His servants, and waits on them. This is the nature of Jesus, the Servant King.
He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:5).
He gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
He calls us to serve, but He never forgets those who have served faithfully.
So, if you’ve been pressing on quietly, giving your best when no one sees, take heart. Your faithfulness is not forgotten. Every prayer, every act of love, every unseen sacrifice, He will honor it.
How This Applies Today
We live in an age of distraction endless scrolling, noise, busyness, comparison. But Jesus calls us to something different: a watchful heart.
To “keep your lamp burning” today means to live intentionally for God, not just believing, but being ready.
It means tending your inner flame through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience. It means keeping your focus on eternity, not temporary comfort.
Waiting for Christ’s return means living with urgency. Loving others, forgiving quickly, stewarding your gifts, being kind and generous, sharing the gospel, investing in the Kingdom and using every opportunity to shine your light.
Reflection Questions
Where have you grown spiritually complacent or distracted?
What practices help keep your spiritual “lamp” burning strong?
If Christ were to return today, would He find you ready, with a heart awake and a life aligned with His will?
Action Points
Guard Your Focus: Each day, take time to pray and stay in the Word daily.
Serve with Joy: Readiness is shown in how we love and serve. Do what He’s placed before you wholeheartedly.
Stay Expectant: Don’t grow disillusioned by delay. God’s timing is perfect. Keep watching, trusting, and being faithful.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding me that true readiness is faithfulness from the heart. Renew my strength when I grow weary, and help me to serve You with joy and perseverance. Guard my heart from complacency and distraction. May I be found faithful in the waiting, steadfast in prayer, and diligent in every good work You’ve entrusted to me. Let my life reflect Christ’s light in every word and deed, so that when He comes, He will find me watching with peace, hope, and joyful expectation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Looking Ahead
Next week, we’ll continue with Luke 12:39–48, where Jesus calls us to faithful stewardship. Being wise and responsible with what God has entrusted to us.
A Closing Word
If this message stirred something in you, a call to wake up, refocus, and live ready, don’t ignore it.
The same urgency Jesus spoke to His disciples is the same He speaks to us today: Be ready.
“Sin the Great Joker” dives into this same truth. This book will inspire you to rekindle your purpose and steward your faith with diligence.
👉 Gift yourself a copy today and keep your lamp burning. Click here.
And if the book has blessed you, I’d be so grateful for your meaningful and heartfelt review on Amazon. Your words can help spread the message and inspire more readers to walk in truth and grace. God bless you!!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Help Spread the Word
Share with Friends, give the Gift of Faith and if you loved the book, please consider giving it a heartfelt and thoughtful review. Your feedback helps others discover the book and its message of hope and faith. www.sinthegreatjoker.com
Praying His peace and blessings abound in your life.
