Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. (NIV)

For us in 2024, think of yourself as a personal assistant for someone who is on their honeymoon and will return soon.  Your employer would have certain expectations of you: That you would have things in tip top shape when you return.  You would be ready for their return by having everything all set up, and you’d be ready to get back to work as soon as they returned. Jesus is using a similar illustration that would be common sense to those listening to Jesus at the time. These verses paint a picture of what a good employee would do.  

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In the Middle East, being “dressed and ready for service” would refer to keeping one’s robe tucked around the waist as a way to be ready for serious work, so the long flowing garment would not get in the way of your work. Also, “keep your lamps burning” was easily understood by the hearers, as oil lamps were how people worked at night. There needed to be plenty of oil, and the wicks needed to constantly be trimmed to keep functioning well. The servant also had to be watchful to hear "when he comes and knocks” to let their boss back in. Your employer would think highly of you if you were the type of person ready to work, day or night, watching for the opportunity to serve in these ways.

With Jesus as our master, we are challenged to also be good servants. But what might that look like? The overriding theme is to be focused, always, on opportunities to serve. Yet this parable shows us three specific ways to watchfully serve like the servant he mentions. First, your robe could be a hindrance in service. Things get caught in a robe, and it's hard to work and move with your clothing flopping around. What hindrances do we have as servants of Christ that need to be positioned differently so we can best serve Christ? Maybe we need to be more organized with our time, and that can be challenging.  Maybe we need to search out the right resources and people to help us do what God has called us to. Or maybe we need to adjust our attitude a bit.

The lamp Jesus mentions sheds light on dark and dreary parts of the home. To come home to a well-lit house is much more welcoming than a dark and dreary one. How are we to shine our light? By living out how God made us to serve. Some of us are gifted in hospitality and making others feel welcome, whether into your home or just in conversation. Lean into that. Others teach or provide insight. Lean into that. Others are there with a caring or encouraging word. Lean into that.

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Lastly, we are to be watchful for opportunities to serve. This story encourages us to be watchful for Jesus, ready to work, and to enlighten others with our “lamps” - hearts that lead us into good works. As we go, remember that we are always serving Christ in all we do, and in the bigger picture, being watchful, ready, and hopeful for Christ’s actual return, when he will set all things right eternally.

Lord, give me a servant’s heart. Help me embrace the way you created me to serve and give me a watchful spirit for opportunities to serve in your name. Amen.