Luke 12:35-37

DISCOURSE: 1529
THE WATCHFUL SERVANT

Luke 12:35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

SUCH is the uncertainty of life, and such the importance of eternal things, that one would suppose every one should feel the necessity of standing ready for death and judgment, even though no injunctions had been given us to that effect. But our Lord frequently insisted on that subject, and, in parables as well as in plainer terms, inculcated the duty of continual watchfulness. In the parable before us he mentions,

I. Our duty—

All of us are servants of one common Lord and Master. He is absent, and has commanded all of us to wait for his return:

1. In certain expectation that he will come—

[The time of his return is the time of death and judgment. This may be protracted, so that scoffers may say, Where is the promise of his coming [Note: ver. 45. with 2 Peter 3:3.]? But “he is not slack concerning his promise.” He is only exercising his patience and long-suffering toward the ungodly world [Note: 2 Peter 3:9.]; and at the expiration of the time allotted them, he will surely come.]

2. In constant readiness to receive him—

[This is the more immediate import of the metaphors in the text [Note: It was the custom to wear long garments, which they girded up when they were about to do any thing that required activity and exertion. And lights or torches were used at their nuptials, which were usually celebrated in the evening.]. We should gather in the affections which too often entangle our feet. “Unite my heart to fear thy name,” should be our daily prayer. Whatever obstructs us in the way of duty should be put away. Our graces too should be kept in lively exercise; and the one desire of our soul should be, so to have every thing within us regulated according to our Master’s will, that the very instant he shall knock, we may receive him gladly and without fear.]

To enforce the practice of this duty our Lord subjoins,

II.

Motives to the performance of it—

The motives suggested in the parable are of very different kinds:

1. Encouraging—

[Thrice does our Lord pronounce the watchful servant “blessed [Note: ver. 37, 38, 43.].” Indeed what can be more blessed than to be prepared to meet our God? To such servants he promises the most exalted honour. We do not indeed conceive that Jesus will repeat in heaven any such act of condescension as he once submitted to on earth [Note: The Romans waited on their slaves at the feast of Saturn; but we do not suppose that our Lord alluded to this, because his hearers probably were not acquainted with the fact.]; but there is no expression of kindness which the meanest servant could manifest to the most beloved master, which Jesus will not manifest to his faithful servants in heaven. He has prepared the richest banquet for them; and will “feed them, and lead them unto living fountains of waters [Note: Revelation 7:17.].” And should not this prospect stimulate us to watchfulness? Who would not perform the work when they are promised such wages?]

2. Alarming—

[What indignation would a nobleman feel, if, having ordered his servants to be ready for his reception, he should be kept a long time knocking at the door at midnight, and find not a servant awake, or so much as a light in his house! And will not Jesus be justly indignant, if he shall find such a reception from any one of us? He tells us that he will scourge that servant with such severity as to “cut him asunder,” and that he will assign him his portion among his open and avowed enemies [Note: ver. 46.]. Nor will he treat in this manner those only who are riotous and debauched, but those also who neglect to prepare for his arrival [Note: ver. 47.]. He will, however, make a distinction between the punishment of different servants, proportioning the stripes to the opportunities he had afforded them of knowing and doing his will [Note: ver. 48.]. But the fewest stripes will be dreadful, and the pain of them eternal. How should such an awful consideration as this awaken us! Surely our hearts must be harder than adamant, if they be not impressed by it.]

We may improve this parable,
1.

For self-examination—

[Peter asked whether it related to the Disciples? and our Lord directed them to examine themselves whether they were such servants [Note: ver. 41, 42.]? This is a proper direction for us. Are we then “like” such servants? — — — Let us remember that to such, and such alone, will our Lord’s advent be a source of joy: to all others, what a terrible surprise will his coming be! Let us then resolve, with God’s grace, to watch [Note: Habakkuk 2:1.]. Who would not watch, if he knew that his house would be assaulted by thieves? And shall we not watch to preserve our souls [Note: ver. 39, 40.]? Whatever be our station among men, our duty to Jesus is the same. O that we may all meet his approbation, and receive his blessing!]

2. For consolation—

[The time of his coming may appear long; but it is only as one or two watches of a single night [Note: ver. 38.]. How soon will this be past! and how sweet will be our rest at the expiration of it! Let us then “exercise ourselves unto godliness.” Let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober [Note: 1 Thessalonians 5:6.]. Let us, as dear fellow-servants, strive to keep each other awake and lively; and soon shall we hear the wished-for knock. Blessed period! May we all be found ready for it; and welcome our divine Master with songs of gratitude and triumph [Note: Isaiah 25:9.]