Monday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 12:35-38
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
12:35 Stay dressed for action... depicts a man prepared to run, with his long robe tucked under his belt.
12:37–38 awake. Believers should be continually expecting and ready for Christ’s return, because the time of his coming is unknown. Recline at table has in view the end-time messianic banquet (Luke 13:29; 14:15–24; 22:27–30; Rev. 19:9). second watch, or in the third. Most interpreters think Jesus is using a Jewish understanding of “three watches of the night” (6:00–10:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m., 2:00–6:00 a.m.). However, others think he is using a Roman understanding of four watches (6:00–9:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m., 12:00–3:00 a.m., 3:00–6:00 a.m.). In either case, the point that Jesus is making is that “the master” could come at any time, even when one is not normally prepared.
12:37–38 awake. Believers should be continually expecting and ready for Christ’s return, because the time of his coming is unknown. Recline at table has in view the end-time messianic banquet (Luke 13:29; 14:15–24; 22:27–30; Rev. 19:9). second watch, or in the third. Most interpreters think Jesus is using a Jewish understanding of “three watches of the night” (6:00–10:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m., 2:00–6:00 a.m.). However, others think he is using a Roman understanding of four watches (6:00–9:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m., 12:00–3:00 a.m., 3:00–6:00 a.m.). In either case, the point that Jesus is making is that “the master” could come at any time, even when one is not normally prepared.
Study Questions:
- Jesus is saying, "I'm leaving, but I'm coming back!" There are some of us that are living like they don't believe that he will return. The fact that he is coming back some day should give us a healthy fear of his return. And this healthy fear should affect how we live our lives. How much do you think about Christ's return? How should this change your day to day life?
- If we are going to live out this teaching from Jesus, it starts with a life of WAITING. Jesus tells us to keep the lamps burning, waiting for the master to return. He says to ALWAYS be ready! Romans 8 says that all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day. Philippians 3 says that as citizens of heaven we should be eagerly awaiting his return. Hebrews 13 says that this world is not our permanent home and we should look forward to a home yet to come. While we need a healthy fear of when we stand before him, we also should look forward to that day with great hope, anticipation and excitement! Think about that day when he comes again and we get to spend eternity with him in paradise. What kinds of emotions does that stir up in you? What are you looking forward to most? How might you respond when you ACTUALLY see Jesus face to face? Who else might you be longing to see again in heaven?
Pray:
- That you would look forward to Jesus' return.
- That you would live every day waiting for the day you see him face to face.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
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