Mark 13:32 However, when that day and hour will come, no one knows — not the angels in heaven, not the Son, just the Father. 33 Stay alert! Be on your guard! For you do not know when the time will come. “It’s like a man who travels away from home, puts his servants in charge, each with his own task, and tells the doorkeeper to stay alert. 35 So stay alert! for you don’t know when the owner of the house will come, 36 whether it will be evening, midnight, cockcrow or morning — you don’t want him to come suddenly and find you sleeping! 37 And what I say to you, I say to everyone: stay alert!”
Luke 12:35 “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit, 36 like people waiting for their master’s return after a wedding feast; so that when he comes and knocks, they will open the door for him without delay. 37 Happy the slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes! Yes! I tell you he will put on his work clothes, seat them at the table, and come serve them himself! 38 Whether it is late at night or early in the morning, if this is how he finds them, those slaves are happy. 39 “But notice this: no house-owner would let his house be broken into if he knew when the thief was coming. 40 You too, be ready! For the Son of Man will come when you are not expecting him.”
This parable is in response to the timing of the coming of the Messiah. Here we’ll look mostly at Mark’s version.
An interesting tidbit here is that Yeshua’s home is here on the earth. Contrary to how we usually think of spiritual things, the earth is His desired dwelling place. He was here in the Garden, came back to the Tabernacle, then walked the earth as a man 2000 years ago. We also see that He will be back soon to reign for 1000 years then the Father will join us all at that time -- here…on earth.
That being said, we need to consider the importance of being good stewards of the earth. Watching over it while He is away is our task -- which is His next statement.
Have you ever considered that you have been put in charge of his home while He is away? You're not just a visitor in someone else’s land anymore, you are in His home and it is up to you to watch over it.
Think about when you leave home for a while and leave your children or hoursitters in charge. What do you expect? Do you want them rummaging through your drawers and taking spoil for themselves? What images and information do you not want coming through the internet lines of your home? Would you want them to defile your home while you’re away? Wouldn't you want the house put in good order when you return? Don’t you want all of the animals alive?
We all know that a good guest will honor the home and treat it with respect. While we use the language of “make yourself at home” we know that isn’t really true, is it? We do want them to be comfortable and relaxed, not worried about food or shelter (or even comfort and entertainment), but there is a line of disrespect and defilement we most certainly do not want crossed.
Keep this in mind if you claim to be His servant. If you want to be defiled, resign your servanthood and go to your own home.
This is an excellent commentary on us as individuals. We EACH have our own task. It is of critical importance to understand this and ensure we walk in our space only. Do not try to pick up what isn’t yours or else you’ll be held accountable.
Just because you want to be a chef in the home, if you have no discernment of spices and flavors, you don’t belong in that role. Despite your best efforts, that gift has not been given to you and when you go to prepare a meal for the King it is likely going to be rejected. The Messiah would not go to a 3-Star Michelin restaurant and settle for a Big Mac -- even if the chef’s heart was sincere and all they wanted was to serve the King. If He wanted a Big Mac, He’d go to where it is served.
Even if you resolve to become a world-class chef, there are things that will naturally prevent you from getting there. You can get all the training you want, but if your palette is not designed for it, you will never be world-class.
Accept that. Find the gift that Abba has given you and become world-class in that arena.
You have to remain on guard. All night and all day. As a servant, be sure you’ve done your job and done it in full.
Is the house clean?
Is everything put away?
Is His home in the state it was in when He left?
Have you made it better?
or…
Are you sitting around watching porn on the living room TV?
Are the dogs dead because you neglected them?
Did that raging party you threw with His resources leave His couch ripped apart and the windows busted out?
Did the dust and bugs overtake everything because you left your post to focus on other things?
Assume He will arrive home without you knowing. Because that’s likely how this is all going to go down.
Do you litter? When you walk by trash on the ground, do you leave it there?
Do you treat His home with the respect it deserves?
Do you seek to improve it every chance you get?
This is His home. We need to watch over it.
Have you ever considered He’s put you in charge of His home while He’s away?
Think about what this really means. Think again.
Do you treat your life and possessions as if they are your own? How much better would you steward these things if you knew they weren’t yours?
This can be tricky, though. If you treat your own things with little or no respect then you have bigger problems than we can address here. If you are a poor steward, He likely doesn’t want you to do for Him what you do for yourself.
Are you trying to be something you’re not? Are you squandering your gifts because you want to be someone else?
Do not insult His decision to impart specific gifts He has just for you. I promise you’re too stupid to know what’s best for yourself. Trust Him.
He’s coming. And it’s time to wake up. Whatever happens, be sure you are not asleep!