Luke 12:32-40 Christian, Be Ready

 In ancient times, cities were often enclosed behind walls for protection. And yet no matter how strong those walls might be; if the city wasn’t prepared, if the gates were standing wide open, if no one was paying any attention when the enemy attacked, then those walls would no good. So it was very important that the watchmen of the city be alert and watchful at all times so that they could sound the warning when an enemy approached. If the watchmen didn’t pay attention, if they fell asleep – the result could be disastrous. So to stress the great importance of being alert and watchful, the punishment for any soldier who fell asleep during his watch was most often death.

 In our lives as Christians, it is also important for us to be alert and watchful. We need to be alert against the temptations that come from the devil and the world; alert against the sinful attitudes of our own sinful flesh which would lead us away from our Savior. We need to be watchful and ready for our Savior’s return, when he comes again in glory as Judge. Here in our text, Jesus encourages us to be watchful servants and warns us against the dangers of falling asleep spiritually. He shows us what the attitudes of watchful Christian servants are. Christian, Be Ready. Know where your treasure is. Be watchful at all times.

 Jesus first of all offers us an encouragement in our text. He tells us not to be afraid and he gives us the reason that we don’t need to be afraid. At times, we may feel greatly outnumbered and feel overwhelmed. As we look around us, what a little group we are compared to the many unbelievers in the world. In the eyes of the world, Christians are insignificant. How many oppose Christianity. And as we also recognize the power of our enemy the devil and his allies, we might very well be afraid. But Jesus reassures us. As he refers to his “little flock,” it reminds us that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He is our Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us. He is our Good Shepherd who took up his life again, victorious; who rules everything for our good.

 As Jesus encourages us to be ready, he also reminds us that we have a heavenly Father who loves us and who “has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Heaven is ours. Our salvation is an accomplished fact. Our hope of heaven is not something uncertain; it is not something that depends on something more that we have to do. It is done. It is a certain, living hope. Heaven has been secured for us by Jesus. God’s own Son became our substitute. The writer to the Hebrews tells us, “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and the he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” As our substitute and high priest, Jesus offered up the perfect and all-sufficient sacrifice of himself with his death on the cross. Sin is paid for. We have become God’s dearly loved children.

 God’s kingdom is established in us by the working of the Holy Spirit through the means of grace – through God’s word and sacraments. By faith, God rules in our hearts and lives. We are part of God’s kingdom of grace – not because of who we are or what we do, but entirely because of God’s grace and undeserved love. God, in grace and mercy, was pleased to accomplish our salvation and give us the kingdom. 

That is the treasure that is ours as Christians. That is a treasure which lasts, not just for this life but for all eternity. That is a treasure that is greater than all the wealth of the world. Jesus promises, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” So the apostle Paul can confidently declare, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” God is faithful. Our faith in him is never misplaced. He always keeps his promises. So the writer to the Hebrews encourages us, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

That treasure that we have – held safe and secure with our Savior; that certain hope of the glories of heaven, all the blessing that belong to us right now as citizens in God’s kingdom of grace – affects our lives. It affects the way that we live. It affects what we do and what we say and even how we think. Our focus is not on the things of this world, not on the blessings that God gives us for life here on earth – our true and lasting treasure is in heaven and that is where our focus is. 

 And so that affect our attitude toward earthly possessions. Jesus tells us, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” That doesn’t mean get rid of everything that we have. He doesn’t say sell “all” your possessions. But Jesus points us to what a proper attitude will be toward our money and possessions. It isn’t one of selfishness. It isn’t a concern just for ourselves. The Lord doesn’t bless us physically just so we can enjoy life and take it easy. The Lord blesses us so that we might use all that he has given us – our time and talents and treasures – and use them in service to him and in service to others.

 The person who is unwilling to give, who is unwilling to help others who are in need, who is unwilling to use his physical blessings toward spiritual and eternal things like supporting the preaching of the gospel – shows that is attitude is wrong and sinful. His focus is in the wrong place. He is focused on things, on the gifts – rather than on the giver. 

 How easy for our priorities and our focus to be misplaced. Our world encourages us to focus on the things we have. It tells us we need this or that. So easily we get wrapped up in the world’s way of thinking and focus on worldly things. Jesus encourages us and promises us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Always, in everything, our first priority is to seek God’s kingdom. Money, wealth, earthly possessions, recreation – having those things, working to get those things isn’t necessarily wrong. They can be wonderful blessing from the Lord. But so often it is a question of right priorities.

 If my focus is on worldly goods – think about how that will affect the use of my time and energy. Where will my desires and plans and actions be directed. That focus will show itself in what I do and in how I spend my money. If my focus is on heavenly matters – then my time and abilities, my money and possessions will be used in securing those things. Those things that are my focus – where my heart it – will show itself in my actions. How I use what I have – my time and money – reveals what I consider my greatest treasure. What do people see when they look at our lives? Do they see a person whose focus is on spiritual and heavenly matters? Or do they see someone who thinks like the rest of the world; who is often distracted and worried by all sorts of physical matters; who has little time for the Lord and his word; who finds it hard to sacrifice so that he might give to the Lord and serve him.

 We need to remember and always keep in mind the great treasure that we have as Christians – the greatest treasure there is. Our Savior has given to us the gift of his kingdom. That is where our focus is and knowing that great treasure which we already possess helps us put our earthly possessions into proper perspective.

 If our focus is on earthly matters, we are not ready servants. We are not prepared for our Savior’s return. Jesus uses a couple of pictures to encourage and warn us to be ready for his return at all times. First, Jesus uses the picture of a Jewish marriage at that time. The bridegroom would go to claim his bride and bring her back to his house. The groom would expect that his servants there at home would be ready for his return, even during the middle of the night. The servants would have their lamps burning and be ready to wait on their master whenever he came.

 With this picture, Jesus is encouraging us to be ready for his return whenever it might be. We don’t know when Jesus will come again. He hasn’t told exactly when he will come again in glory. He has only told us to expect him at any time. All the signs which Jesus gave have been fulfilled. He could come at any moment. Until that time comes, we are to be active as his disciples, living our life in faith, making use of his means of grace, being his witnesses in the world. Jesus tells us, “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” As Jesus disciples we are simply to be his servants - to be his witnesses, his ambassadors, his mouth and his hands - until the time he comes again.

 We might wish that Jesus had told us exactly when he would return, but can you imagine how great a temptation that would be to live a sinful lifestyle, thinking that you could wait to the last minute to repent. Think about the child whose parents go out for the evening. Before mom and dad leave they give a list of chores to be done by the time they get home – be sure the dishes are done, clean up your room. What is the temptation – it’s not going to take all evening to do those few dishes or pick up, so I’ll wait and do it later. How many times doesn’t it happen that those chores don’t get done, or the child is frantically trying to finish cleaning as his parents come up the driveway? God has not revealed the day of his return for our good. He has kept that information from us so that we might keep a better and closer watch over all the other days of our live. 

  With Jesus second picture, Jesus warns us against the consequences of failing to be ready and watchful servants. The man who fails to take proper precautions, whose house is unprotected and as a result broken in to and robbed, will lose his money and possessions. Failure to be ready when Jesus comes means losing, forfeiting those treasures of heaven. Watchfulness is difficult. How easy for us to mix up our priorities. Tomorrow I’ll have more time for spiritual matters. When I’m older, when the kids are grown, when I’ve done this or accomplished that, when I have paid for this or when I can afford that – then I will have more time for the Lord, then I can give greater offerings to the Lord. How spiritually and eternally dangerous such excuses are. Where is our focus? What is our priority? It needs to be on the greatest treasure, on the one treasure that truly matters – our relationship with our Savior and our home in heaven. 

 When our Savior does come, it will be to take us to be with him in heaven. Our Savior promises a blessed future for his faithful, watchful servants. In Jesus picture of the Jewish marriage, something strange and unusual happens when the master returns. The master himself invites his servants to sit down at a feast and he serves them. The servants had simply done their duty – nothing beyond what was expected. And yet the master serves them. That is certainly not the way of men, but it is the way of our gracious Lord. Imagine – the King of heaven and earth serving us his unworthy, sinful servants. 

Of course, he has already served us by giving his life on the cross in exchange for ours.  He has secured for us an eternal treasure in heaven.  May our hearts always be focused on that true and lasting treasure.  May we be watchful servants.  May we always be found ready for our Savior’s return.