Sunday, 8th October 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: BE PREPARED
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” – Luke 12:40

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
1. What did Jesus mean by ‘we should also be ready’?

 

Jesus took time to admonish His disciples to be prepared and to be faithful. Readiness helps to avoid surprises. It helps us to be qualified for an opportunity. A man who is ready or prepared has composure when called upon. Men who are unprepared are always in a frantic mood; they cannot think straight and strategically.

Jesus presented three illustrations to guide us in our preparation and readiness in this life.

First, as disciples of Christ, we are to be readily dressed with lighted lamps to attend to the Master if He should return at any time (Luke 12:35). Secondly, it is the duty of the disciple or the servants of the Master to wait patiently or with confidence till He comes (Luke 12:36). We are to remain at post, and our objective is that the Master must come to find us there. Thirdly, the disciple of Christ must watch or be vigilant [or alert] while at post (Luke 12:37). The challenge here is this: no one knows when the Master will come (Luke 12:38). If we [the disciples of Christ] knew the time the Master would return, whether in the second or third hour, we would have set an alarm to wake us up.

The Son of Man is coming at an hour no one expects.

Precious one, if Jesus comes today, will you panic or will you be calm to meet your Lord? Will your Lord come to find you still pressing on with the important things He placed in your hands, or will you have moved on? If you are told you have a week to live, will your priorities change or remain the same? Sometimes, we are tempted to think that we have forever to live, and therefore we can postpone the things that are important. Do you have a relationship to repair? Do it now so that you will be ready today should your Lord appear. Is there something God has laid on your heart to do? Do it now, so your Lord will find you at post.

Beloved, do not be like the lazy steward who thinks he has more time. “The master is not coming any time soon,” he might have said.

Unfortunately, his lord came to find him sleeping. You know what? Jesus condemned this steward, not for evil done but for good undone. Many of God’s people have been lured into inactivity because, to them, the Lord has delayed in His coming. I remember vividly when the world was about to enter the year 2000. There was a rumour that something major was going to happen. Many people who have taken Christ for granted began to mend their ways. They thought that Christ might come at the turn of the millennium. After 20 years, Christ hasn’t shown up, so many people have returned to their old ways. Definitely, if the steward of the house had known the hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken in. So, you should also be prepared because Jesus is coming back at an hour that you will not be expecting. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING – Luke 12:35-40

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Are you a disciple who is faithfully serving, watching and waiting for your Lord?

 

PRAYER
Precious Jesus, you are my Lord. You said we should remember where we fell and rise. I acknowledge where I fall short in my love for the Lord, my preparation for His return, my faithfulness in serving Him and my inconsistency in watching unto the end. I receive grace to be instant in season and out of season. Hallelujah!

1-Year Reading Plan
1 Chronicles 24; 1 Chronicles 25; Ezekiel 34; Philippians 1; Philippians 2