Coming Ready or Not

Luke 12:35-59 Remember the game “hide and seek”? One child closes his eyes and counts to ten while the other child hides. At the count of ten, the child opens his eyes and begins his search by saying, “Coming ready or not!” Then this child diligently searches high and low to find where the other child is hiding. I recall being a child hiding, and the moment the one who sought me found me, my heart jumped and I always yelled loudly “Boo” to scare him.

Jesus is coming ready or not! He is seeking after faithful people who will be ready for His coming. In my earlier years as a Christian the thought of Jesus’ coming frightened me. I always felt I was not ready, and I prayed, “Lord, just give me a little more time to get it together before You come.” I felt that I had to be perfect in every way, and I knew I was not. I remembered what the Scriptures said about Jesus coming for a bride (the church) who was without spot, wrinkle or blemish. I knew I had all three.

It was not until later in my Christian walk that I became excited instead of fearful when I thought of Jesus’ return. What happened to change my attitude? I realized that no matter how much I tried, I would never have it all together. Only Jesus could perfect those things in my life that concerned me. After all, He is the author and finisher of my faith. The word author means “the source or well-spring of all things.” If He authored my faith, He surely planned to finish it. He never leaves the book of our lives half finished. Whatever He had written in my book of life, He planned to accomplish. My part is to stay filled with the Spirit and faithful to His calling.

In this passage in Luke Jesus speaks of the faithful steward: “Who then is that wise and faithful steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?” (v. 42).

Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of the Father.” Just yesterday, we learned what the Father’s good pleasure is. We are to share the good news of the kingdom with others and dispense the meat of God’s Word in the proper portion to others. The wise steward is able to discern just the amount of meat his household needs. My constant prayer as a Bible teacher is:

Lord, help me to give those who hear my teaching just the right portion of Your Word at just the right time.

“Coming ready or not!” You will be ready for His coming if you are faithful in your sharing His Word with others. Jesus will finish your book of life, and you will be found faithful.

READ: Deuteronomy 32:30-52; Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:46-58; Proverbs 12:24