Lessons from the Gospel – Active Waiting

We find several parables about servants waiting for the return of their master. It is very clear that we are these servants and the Master who will return is Jesus. But what can we learn about what we should be doing while we wait?

1.      Be “dressed ready for service” Luke 12:35 [NIV]

What does it mean to be dressed ready to serve? Well, we can find other scriptures that show what we should be wearing, as Christ followers. 1 Peter 5:5 tells us to be clothed with humility, and Psalms 132:9 talks about being clothed in righteousness. This is also repeated in Revelation 19:8 where it says that “fine linen, clean and white” is the “righteousness of the saints”.

How are we clothed in righteousness? Is it by acts we perform? No, it is by faith. [See Romans 3:22]

While we are waiting, we should be sure we have on the garments of humility and faith [His righteousness].

2.      We should be feeding God’s fellow servants. Luke 12:42 [NKJV]

 a.      The implication here is spiritual meat, like Jesus instructed Peter after His resurrection. John 21:16-17.

While we are waiting, we should be feeding others the word of God appropriately to the “due season”. I’ve heard this explained that pastors should be preaching the right messages for the time of year.

But that is a very narrow interpretation, especially since Luke 12 talks about the Lord’s servants, which would include all believers, not just preachers. Perhaps there are other factors we can consider for the “season” we are serving in. Can we consider that if we are speaking with a widow about the Gospel message and the love of God, we might focus on the resurrection, when she will see her loved one again. If we are speaking to someone going through a severe health trail, we might focus on the message of mercy and healing found in the Gospel. You get the picture.

When we are “feeding” the hungry, we must consider what their needs are at that time. The Gospel is good new for all seasons of our lives, and there is no lack of appropriate “meat” in it for any give “season” or situation.

While we are waiting, we should be feeding our fellow servants the right spiritual meat.

b.      We should be feeding the literally hungry too.

Luke 12: 47 [NLT] "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.”

While I do believe John 21 is talking about spiritual meat. We cannot forget that we are tasked with feeding literal food to those needing it as well. In the parable found in Matthew 25 we find a requirement to serving all types of physical needs – hunger, thirst, clothing, comfort, etc.

While we are waiting, we should be taking care of the physical needs of those around us.

3.      We should NOT be abusing our fellow servants. Luke 12:45.

 I do not think that I need to go into great detail about not abusing others, whether physical, mental or emotional abuse. But I will say that those who are clothed in humility and His righteousness are not going to have the kind of lust for power and control that leads people to abuse those fellow servants that they are meant to serve. That includes unbelieving fellow employees we might be in charge of, our fellow believers in our congregations (or other congregations/organizations), and those in our own homes. If you are tempted to “lord it over” someone, check your garments.

Luke 12: 47 [NLT] warns us about ignoring these actions while we wait, "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.”

Sweet sisters, I encourage us all to be actively waiting for the return of Jesus by ensuring we are properly dressed and are also properly caring for all of God’s children.

I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the chat, or any time at Nancy@DyanmicChristianMinistries.org