Lenten Devotions
A Walk through the Book of Luke
March 16, 2023
Luke 12:35-40
“I Shall Return”
Several quotes from the 20th century are still familiar to us today.
Who can forget actor Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator declaring,
“I’ll be back.”
But my favorite quote is by General Douglas McArthur during WWII. In early 1942, then-President Roosevelt ordered him to leave the Island of Corregidor in the Pacific. This is because McArthur’s family was with him on the island. There also were 90,000 troops who stayed behind.
Upon leaving, General McArthur said,
“I shall return.”
He did just that in October of 1944. However, there’s a lot more to McArthur’s leaving and return. I encourage you to check out the site below for more detailed information.
(https://historydaily.org/i-shall-return-general-macarthurs-promise/9)
Shortly after His Transfiguration, Jesus set out with His disciples for Jerusalem. During their journey, He taught them many things. In today’s reading, Jesus specifically spoke about being ready for His return.
**********************The Point********************
Let’s take a look at Jesus’ words to His disciples concerning watchfulness.
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Luke 12:35-40
Just like the servants in the above reading, Jesus expects us, as His followers, to be ready for His return. Therefore, for those who are prepared for Christ’s return, Jesus says He will serve His followers. This reference is not unlike what Jesus did at the Last Supper. He got up from the table and got on His knees, washing His disciples’ feet.
The point is that if we are ready for Jesus’ return and are doing the things we should be doing, we will be rewarded. What are the things we should be doing? Matthew 28 comes to mind when just before His ascension, Jesus says to His disciples,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
When Jesus returns, He expects us to be doing the work of the Kingdom.
Here’s the tricky part. We don’t know when Jesus will return. He comes straight out and says so,
“You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:40
So, what are we to do? First, as Christians, we must be prepared for Jesus’ return at all times. Never letting our guard down with worldly distractions. One day Christ will return, and we need to be alert and prepare for Him by being about the work He instructed us to do.
joegministries.com 