It has been suggested that a surveillance failure left Israel unprepared for the Hamas attack two weeks ago. If this is true what happened? Were those in charge of monitoring surveillance equipment sleeping on the job or taking part in the outdoor dance festival? Being a watchman isn’t easy, because most of the time is spent just sitting around waiting for something that may never show up. Keeping awake and alert is a daily challenge for them.
Jesus gave his disciples an exhortation about vigilance (Luke 12:35-38).
“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.”
Even though the master may not show up on time and the servants are getting bored waiting for him, they must remain dressed, equipped and focused at all times. Nothing in a servant’s life was more important than the return of themaster from a wedding. Vigilance was their number one requirement.
What would happen when the master returned and found his servant waiting?
“Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.”
Imagine a master who would put on an apron and serve dinner to his servants! This must have shocked Jesus’ listeners to hear of a master who was that kind and humble. Who was Jesus talking about?
“And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”
Isn’t that unreasonable? What servant would want to remain dressed and have his lamp trimmed all through the night, when he’d rather be in bed. And what if the master didn’t come until the next day? Why waste a good night’s sleep?
What is Jesus trying to teach us here? Is he talking about his return from heaven to take us back home where he will serve us at the heavenly banquet—the wedding supper of the lamb?
We don’t want to be caught sleeping at the second coming of Jesus. For most of us, this will probably take place long after we’ve died. On the other hand, Jesus is still alive on earth, and at an unexpected time will knock on our doors. Will we open immediately or will be stay glued to the TV set or stay absorbed in our favorite hobby? Is there anything in life more important that opening the door when Jesus knocks? This is the one opportunity in life that we cannot afford to let pass us by.
What does it mean for us to have our loins gird and lamps lit? Isn’t this about grace? How do we clothe ourselves with grace and keep the light of the Holy Spirit burning in our lives? Certainly, the place to start is repentance, prayer, and a conscious decision to recommit ourselves to Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives.
Faulty military surveillance can allow the horrors of war to erupt. What about faulty spiritual surveillance?
“Holy Spirit teach us to be vigilant at all times, reminding us that Jesus will come as a thief in the night at an hour we do not expect.”
