Wednesday, July 10, 2024

The Parables of Jesus Series

Tonight’s Study – Session 25: The Parable of The Watchful Servants

Introduction: The Parable of the Watchful Servants is another parable about being prepared and ready for the Lord’s return. Jesus was teaching that His return could happen at anytime and watchfulness is key for any servant of the Lord. This parable is similar in nature to many other parables teaching on preparedness and watchfulness.

The Parable of the Watchful Servants is only found in the Gospel of Luke.

Here’s Our Passage of Scripture in Which this Parable is Found

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:35-40)

What Was the Context for this Parable?

Luke 12:22-34

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you, by worrying, can add one cubit to his stature?

 If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.

For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Let’s Look at our Passage Where our Parable is Found

Verse 35

When Jesus speaks of being “girded,” He is speaking of preparedness. Long flowing robes would be tucked into the belt to allow freedom to work.

Every true, born-again believer is to be dressed in readiness – prepared for service.

“Lamps burning” is symbolic of God’s Word.

 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Verse 36

The term “men” is a general term used to mean all believers. These believers “wait” for their master Jesus. There is an eager anticipation of His return. The Master (Jesus) returns from the wedding feast and His servants (believers) immediately open the door to Him. Believers are to be completely ready for His coming.

Verse 37

Jesus speaks of servants being “blessed” for their watching. God’s blessing to His people is indicative of His divine favor. The Master (Jesus) will “gird Himself.” He takes on a servant’s role and waits on His servants. This remarkable “reversal” takes place and pictures Christ, at His return, ministering as a servant to believers.

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Though Matthew 20:28 is salvific in nature and pertains mainly to Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, it also speaks of His servant Savior leadership too.

Verse 38

Verse 38 mentions two time periods – second watch – 9:00 p.m. to midnight and third watch – Midnight to 3:00 a.m. These time periods are not pointing to a specific time of Christ’s return but point to an anytime return, no matter when it is, believers will want to be found faithful and ready.

Verse 39

Jesus uses the analogy of a thief breaking into a house to compare to His return. The master or head of the house is symbolic of those who should anticipate the Lord’s coming.

Verse 40

No one knows except for God the father the time of Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:36).

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

Since the return of Christ is imminent and unknown, it is not a matter of knowing when to be ready, but to be ready when!

Some Takeaways from this Parable

• To be ready for the Lord’s return, you cannot simply choose a time to be ready, but rather you need to be ready at all times.
• The Lord’s return will be at an unexpected time.
• God doesn’t tell us when Jesus will return in order to motivate us to faithfulness and diligence as a lifestyle.
• Jesus teaches us by His example to be humble servants.
• Those who humble themselves before the Lord will be exalted (Matthew 23:12).
• Unbelief leads to unpreparedness.

Conclusion: The Parable of The Watchful Servants teaches the deep spiritual truth of always being ready for Jesus’ return. Since only God the Father knows the day or hour of Christ’s return, we as believers should live in eager expectation of the return of Jesus. We are called to be faithful in our waiting and watching. Jesus will reward our diligence in waiting and watching for Him one day by serving us when He returns. Will Jesus find you waiting and watching faithfully and ready to open the door when He returns?

Next Week, Session 26: The Parable of the Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant