Keep Ready!

AFTER warning the crowds about covetousness, and cautioning his disciples about giving undue attention to material things, Jesus encourages: "Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom." He thus reveals that only a relatively small number (later identified as 144,000) will be in the heavenly Kingdom." The majority of the ones who receive eternal life will be the earthly subjects of the Kingdom.

What a marvelous gift, "the kingdom!" Describing the proper response the disciples should have upon receiving it, Jesus urges them: "Sell the things belonging to you and give gifts of mercy." Yes, they should use their assets to benefit others spiritually and thus build upon "a never-failing treasure in the heavens."

Jesus next admonishes his disciples to keep ready for his return. He says: "Let your loins be girded and your lamps be burning, and you yourselves me like men waiting for their master when he returns from the marriage, so that at his arriving and knocking they may at once open up to him. Happy are those slave whom the master on arriving finds watching! Truly I say to you, He will gird himself and make them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them."

In this illustration, the readiness of the servants at their master's return is shown by their pulling up their long robs and fastening these under their girdles and their continuing to care for their duties on into the night by the light of well-fueled lamps. Jesus explains: 'If the master arrives in the second watch [from about nine in the evening to midnight] even if in the third [from about nine to about three in the morning], and finds them ready, happy are they!"

The master rewards his servants in an unusual way. He has them recline at the and table begins serving them. He treats them, not as slaves, but as loyal friends. What a fine reward for their continuing to work for their master throughout the night while waiting for his return! Jesus concludes: "You also, keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely the Son of man is coming."

Peter now asks: "Lord, are you saying this illustration to us or also to all?" Rather than answer directly, Jesus gives another illustration. "Who really is the faithful steward," he asks, "Whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so! I tell you truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings."

Next time: Conclusion of Keep Ready!

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991