Always be prepared (Luke 12:35-48)

Spinoza famously said, "If the end of the world were to come tomorrow, I would still plant an apple tree today." This means he would do what he must even if the world were ending, but this attitude should not be applied to every situation. What I do should not leave me with regrets in the end. We cannot easily escape our impending fate. Hence, the saying, "If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it." However, we cannot simply enjoy it blindly. Enjoyment also requires some level of preparation to be truly possible. Therefore, we must prepare. The message given through the word today, even as we await the Lord's coming, is that we must prepare well.

However, in reality, while it would be good if our faith allowed us to live each day with tension and in a perfectly prepared state, it is difficult to live that way. Even a life of piety—if done for a few hours a day, following set rules diligently—would be ideal, but it cannot be forced. Instead, I hope we understand and live by the principle of selection and focus. Since we live with limited time and resources, we cannot do everything, nor is it desirable. We must be able to choose and discern what is truly important and focus on essential values. Therefore, I believe a life of preparation means doing what we can while also cultivating a heart that can focus on critical moments. Selection and focus apply not only to the time and opportunities given in life but also to the life of faith. A successful life of faith requires preparedness and focus.

1. Live a life that knows the times and prepares well
Today’s text teaches the attitude of believers preparing for the Lord’s return. Many people talk about the "end times" and how evil the world is, yet they do not live with the awareness that the Lord will come again. Often, God is pushed aside due to personal desires or goals. However, as children of God, we must live with the knowledge that there will be an ultimate time and prepare for it.
The concept of "last things" or an eschatological life may sound difficult, but it means this: There are two kinds of ends. One is a personal end, and the other is a cosmic end. The Lord’s return (the Second Coming) is the decisive event that brings about the end of the world. Just as there is a personal end, there is also a cosmic end. Even outside the realm of faith, scientists say that in the distant future, galaxies will collide, bringing about an end. Ultimately, whether we realize it or not, the end is approaching. As the Bible says, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray" (1 Peter 4:7), emphasizing that we must live with the thought of the final times.
The core of today’s parable is about the attitude of life regarding that day. It is about being prepared. Jewish weddings traditionally take place at night or in the evening. Since the groom arrives at the bride’s house at night, they must be prepared to open the door when he knocks. However, the waiting night is a time when it is easy to become careless, tired, and drowsy. Thus, the wedding parable speaks about faith. Only with an awake faith can we welcome the Lord.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples fell asleep. They kept nodding off. When the body is tired, the eyes become heavy. Though they were told to sit, they lay down and fell asleep. When the body and eyes are heavy, no matter how hard one tries to stay awake, sleep overcomes. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. If we live a life of spiritual laziness and lose our sense of urgency, we will be caught off guard and unable to welcome the returning Lord. Yet, even today, if we become too absorbed in reality, we may grow dull to such teachings. How many people truly ponder these things? That is why the Lord said, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" This is a statement worth deep reflection. Outwardly, it may seem like everyone believes and is well-prepared, but when faith becomes hazy and chaotic like a fog, it will be difficult to find those who persistently hold on to their faith. I take this as a warning and reflect on myself. Historically in the church and even today, eschatological ideas often become popular due to interest in when the Lord will return. Because such trends have come and gone many times, the faith of waiting for the Lord has cooled in some aspects. However, this cannot be a reason to weaken or loosen our faith. Rather than focusing on the times and dates, we must cultivate a prepared faith that can welcome the Lord at any time. The word and prayer keep us awake and prepared in faith.

2. A life of preparation means actively living as stewards, beyond just our personal lives.
In relation to the Lord's coming, to whom does this teaching apply? (v. 41) Peter asked this question. However, instead of answering Peter directly, the Lord spoke the parable of the steward: “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?” (v. 42).

A steward is someone entrusted with managing the master’s household. The role of stewardship occupies a very important part of the Lord’s teachings. A steward has the responsibility to manage well all that the master has entrusted until the master returns and must give an account before the master for the responsibilities and authority delegated to them. Every Christian is a steward entrusted by the Lord. The reason we must live responsibly in all areas—not only material possessions but also personal and communal life—stems from this stewardship entrusted to us by the Lord.

The parable urging us to be servants prepared for the master’s return is not about whom it is addressed to but rather emphasizes that everyone should strive to become faithful stewards who diligently fulfill their duties. This is because all people in this world are stewards to whom God has entrusted life, talents, and time. A life of preparation means living as stewards who do their utmost to responsibly manage the time, resources, talents, and spiritual gifts entrusted to us, going beyond our personal lives. It means being faithful in both great and small tasks entrusted to us.

A wise steward is one who manages the household and distributes food at the proper time. It refers to wisely preparing for the master’s return by understanding the master’s will and managing the household appropriately. In any area, if there are stewards, the lacking parts are filled. If there is no one to serve, I become the steward filling that gap. If there are few people praying in the church, I become the steward filling the lack of prayer. If there is a shortage of people equipping others, I become the steward filling that role. It is about being someone who manages well what has been entrusted by distributing appropriately according to each person’s needs.

On the other hand, the characteristics of the wicked steward are described in verse 45. Thinking the master will be delayed in coming, he beats the servants, eats, drinks, and gets drunk, mismanaging and wasting what the master entrusted to him. In the master’s eyes, such a person may pretend, but when the master is not looking, his true nature is revealed. He is fundamentally corrupt. Moreover, the problem is his foolishness—he neither discerns the timing of the master’s return nor prepares for it. The wicked steward faces severe punishment (v. 57). The privilege of stewardship comes with corresponding responsibility and penalty. To whom much is given, much is required.

Conclusion

We are people with fleshly weaknesses, not much different from the disciples who fell into deep sleep beside the Lord while He prayed in Gethsemane. Our daily lives do not change overnight. Thus, if we fall into deep spiritual slumber, we will be utterly unprepared when the most critical moment arrives. We must prepare and live such a life consistently in our daily lives. I am the Lord’s servant. I am the Lord’s steward. By faithfully fulfilling the tasks entrusted to me, whether great or small, I can become one prepared to welcome the Lord. Let us live as good stewards who receive the master’s praise and enjoy the master’s joy.