A good secretary or personal assistant often ends up doing most of the work. Busy executives need someone that can be counted on to serve tirelessly and be ready for anything that is needed. That kind of devotion is usually greatly appreciated. A good boss will recognize that effort and provide an appropriate reward. Those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ should consider ourselves as His servants and be dedicated to making preparation for His return.
“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.” Luke 12:37 (NIV)
When you return to the office and find someone working hard on your behalf, a natural response might be to take over the work and offer your secretary a break. Jesus is telling us in the above verse that He will respond to our work on His behalf in exactly that way.
Jesus has left us in charge of His affairs while he is away. Like a good secretary, we are to manage all aspects of His ministry in perfect detail until His return. Jesus commanded us to love one another (John 13:34) and to turn from our selfish ways and follow His teaching (Luke 9:23). When Jesus returns, He wants to find everything in order. We will be rewarded for our effort to safeguard what has been entrusted to us. We are to stand together against the schemes of the devil making sure the contents of the church stays safe.
“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.” Luke 12:39 (NIV)
Followers of Jesus Christ should be prepared and ever vigilant. We don’t know when Jesus will return so we need to be ready every moment of every day. Like the trusted personal assistant, we can never stop working on behalf of our Lord and Savior.
“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:40 (NIV)
Answer each question as though you were speaking privately to Jesus. Don’t just answer yes or no, explain your answer completely to yourself and to the Lord.
Are you preparing for the return of Jesus?
Are you maintaining that which God has provided in a manner He will appreciate?
Are you diligently serving God by serving others?
Do you look every day for God’s direction in your life?
If Jesus returns today, are you ready?
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