"You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." Peter asked, "Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while,' and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:40-48
Meditate
on what is required.
For
the last couple of years, I’ve been noticing that there are a lot of people who
are afraid to die. Even some Christian people who are assured of an afterlife
in the glories of heaven aren’t looking forward to death. That is why I
embarked on a journey to look at death, fear, and dying. Personally, I
am looking forward to a great banquet with the King—my Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ—on that day that I am taken home to Heaven. Time is irrelevant in Heaven. I am looking forward to
walking the streets of gold and seeing this new heaven and new earth that Jesus
is preparing for us. I am not in a hurry to go there…certainly wouldn’t do
anything to cause that journey to begin any earlier than God has planned…but
Jesus told us to be ready.
Graves at the Mount of Olives
Jerusalem, Israel
Will they see Jesus when He returns there?
Ready
for what you might ask. Death? Rapture? Prepared, prayed up, and ready for
Christ’s return to take His church to Heaven? Either way…be prepared. We are
given more examples in the Bible of being prepared…being ready. See yesterday’s
blog.
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! Luke 12:37
Be ready
to go to heaven…but in the meantime…be ready to serve God here on earth.
Are
you afraid to die…or afraid to live? Have no fear, but be prepared to know what
you can do to help yourself and others dealing with grief—from any loss,
whether it is a person, job, home, or something that you treasure. It is helpful to most people to have someone to
talk to or a group of people, not necessarily at the same time. A minister at
our base chapel years ago (my husband was in the Air Force) said that if a
person has five friends in whom to confide, then they’ll never need to seek a
psychiatrist or counselor. You can always take your cares directly to the Lord in prayer.
Jesus is still the Great Physician, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Note
that Jesus also warns about what is required of believers.
And a servant who knows what the
master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will
be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something
wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much
will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even
more will be required. (Verses
47-48).
Think
about what God wants you to do—wants each of us to do with the Spiritual Gifts
we have been given. Those gifts are meant to be used in service to the body of
believers. Do you do it? Do you do what God, the master, expects?
What do you learn about Jesus, His
characteristics, His expectations? How will you respond?
Prayer
– Jesus, thank You for Your promise…"When everything is ready, I will come
and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14:3. Come quickly, Jesus.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are
close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Verse
of Salvation ~ And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until
you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for
all to see. 1
Peter 1:5
© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
Portions reused from May 12, 2020, Banquet With The King blog.
All scripture quoted
from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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