Ready Servants

Readiness, preparedness, and alertness—these are good traits for a Christian to have.

This is what Jesus says to his disciples in Luke 12, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning” (v. 35). That first phrase is even more colourful in the Greek: “Let your waist be girded.” This is an image from the standard wardrobe of Bible times: long outer robes, garments that stretched from the shoulders all the way down to the ankles. It was a good way to stay cool in that hot climate, and to avoid getting covered in dust.

But such robes were no good when there was strenuous labour to do. So people would gird up their robes; they would tuck the loosely hanging clothes into their belt so that they could free up their movements. “Girding your waist” was a natural image for qualities like preparedness, self-control for a purpose.

And if you were a proper servant, your waist was girded almost all the time. Because as a servant you were working almost all the time. No sense letting your garments down, because you never knew when the master would next issue an order.

A second thing about a well-prepared servant: he will “keep the lamps burning.” Behind thick stone walls with just a few small windows, middle eastern houses were dark. Almost all the interior light had to come from lamps. And such a lamp was basically a saucer filled with oil, with a floating wick. It wasn’t easy to start up such a lamp, so the lights were kept burning.

When the master returned from his business, whether it was daytime or night, he’d want a well-lit home. So a servant saw to it: keep the lamps burning, the oil topped up, and the wick always lit.

A girded waist, and a burning lamp—these are the marks of a loyal servant.

These words of Jesus challenge us. We all like to put aside our work sometimes, have a break on the weekend, get away from it all. But Jesus wants a different breed of servant. He says, “Be ready to do my will, and be ready all the time.”

That’s a daunting task for which to be enlisted. But the good news is Christ tells his servants to keep our eyes on him—eyes on the master. For instance, a few verses before, Jesus urged his disciples not to worry about food and clothing and riches. That’s an exhortation for everyone, but Jesus is addressing (in the first place) those who will serve in the church: “Do not be anxious about your life” (v. 22).

Jesus says this to his gospel workers for good reason: “Don’t be anxious.” Think of a minister of the gospel: if he is always stressed about material things—balancing the household budget, upgrading the minivan, maximizing his retirement fund—if this stuff consumes him, he probably won’t be ready to work with his whole heart in the church for Christ.

Or maybe a missionary is often worried about hundred other matters besides preaching and discipling: his health, his family back home, immigration issues. He’s going to be a distracted servant of the Lord. If we’re always fretting about our life, pouring gallons of mental energy into this or that private concern, we won’t be servants who are single-minded, laser-focused on serving Christ.

This is why Jesus says there’s no need to be anxious. If you’re a servant of the Lord, then you can depend on him to provide whatever is required: “Your Father knows that you need these things” (v. 30).

Picture that servant again, tucking in his robe. He’s not going to trip up; he has put to one side whatever will impede the work for Christ. If we’ll be prepared and ready for service in the church, let’s reflect on this: Am I carrying things that get in the way of whole-hearted labour for God?

Do I have an attitude that could make me stumble?

Maybe my pride gets in the way when I have to serve those who are really needy. Maybe I have a sharply critical spirit. Maybe there’s a sin I’ve hidden away, and it prevents me from speaking openly to others. Christ says if there’s a wrong attitude, or sinful habit, get it out of the way.

“And keep your lamps burning.” Picture that servant, going around to tend carefully to the lamps, hour by hour. Keep your eyes on these, even the little commitments and responsibilities. For so often the faithful servants of Christ are busy with the ordinary: they’re tending the lamps.

What are the daily duties that the Lord sets before you? It’s in the little things that we show our quality as servants of Christ. Are you prepared? Are you attentive? Is your lamp burning?

You’ll be ready, when you’ve been praying. You’ll be ready, when you’ve been in the Scriptures. You’ll be ready, when you’ve been walking alongside the Master, and behind the Master, following his example.

And we’ll be ready when our eyes are open for his return: when we are “men who are waiting for their master to come home” (v. 36). On that last day He’ll reward his faithful ones. The Master will always take good care of those whom He’s employed. Jesus even says that ‘He will come and dress himself for service,’ and have us recline at table where He can serve us (v. 37). The Master ministers to his servants!

This is what Jesus did when He went to cross. And He’ll do it again, when He gives the glories of the kingdom to those who faithfully did his will. We did it in his strength, through his Spirit, but He rewards us anyway.

What a great Master and gracious Lord! So always be ready to serve him: dressed for action, and lamps burning.