People Get Ready

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This is the third time in which Jesus provides certain clarity as to his imminent crucifixion, the resurrection and the eternal order of things.  Amidst a crowd of well over 10,000 people Jesus urges his disciples, followers, and all the hearers including Jews, Pharisees and most likely a few Romans to prepare themselves by opening their hearts and minds to place their faith and trust in Him.

Section 108c | Warning against being Unprepared for the Son of Man’s Coming

Luke 12:35-48
35 “Let your waist be dressed¹ and your lamps burning.² 36 Be like men watching for their lord,³ when he returns from the marriage feast; that when he comes and knocks,⁴ they may immediately open to him. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will dress himself, make them recline, and will come and serve them.⁵ 38 They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch,⁶ and finds them so. 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming,⁷ he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore be ready⁸ also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.” 41 Peter said to him, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?” ⁹ 42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.¹⁰ 44 Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’¹¹ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, 46 then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful. 47 That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, 48 but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.

Section 108d | Warning about the Coming Division

Luke 12:49-53
49 “I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. 52 For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Section 108e| Warning against Failing to Discern the Present Time

Luke 12:54-59
54 He said to the multitudes also, “When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens. 55 When a south wind blows, you say, ‘There will be a scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time? 57 Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will by no means get out of there, until you have paid the very last penny.”

Group Dialog:

Media: “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield (Lyrics+tab) sung by many my favorite version is sung by Eva Cassidy (Youtube).

Notes:

1. As in the passage from Ephesians related to a soldier and the belt of righteousness or depicting the long garments worn by those in the Eastern countries; who used to gather them up, and gird themselves to move more quickly, with less hindrance.
2. Readiness is an act of will, discipline and surrender – honoring who the Lord is to you. CR Mt 25:4:10; 1PT 1:13; Isa 11:5; Eph 6:14
3. We will hear this message and theme of watchfulness and readiness once more beginning in Section 139f, which is set within Holy Tuesday (audio), just days before Jesus we crucified and rose again.See Holy Week Mini-series .
4. Continuing with the theme of readiness (Lk 12:33) Jesus urges his disciples to be in a posture of readiness, and in constant expectation of him. CR Rev 3:20; Jude 1:20-21; Mt 25:1-13
5. The Arabic version renders it, “he shall stand to minister unto them. Some theologians think Jesus was playing off the Roman custom and feast of Saturn (Saturnalia), in which the servants and master switched clothes and positions. Held on or near December 17, this might also be an indicator as to the time of year which Jesus provided this teaching – using a bit of the weekly news to drive home his message to a diverse crowd of disciples, curious souls, and Pharisees.
6. The second watch begins at 9pm, or any time between nine and twelve; and the third watch is any time between midnight and 3am.
7. CR Mat 24:34-44
8. Preparedness is the full embrace of grace actualized and embodied day to day, not in habits or mindless routine, but in soulful delight, humble service and a watchful eye.CR Rev 3:3; 2Pt 3:10; 1Ths 5:2-3.
9. We see in 1Pt 5:8 that Peter learned this lesson and passed it on to others.
10. CR Lk 19:17-19
11. We read in the text from Holy Tuesday.