Luke 12:37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. NIV
I read a very touching story by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College. In the story, a young man, who was to return home and be married, came sooner than was expected. He did not notify his bride-to-be of the exact time. He desired to please her with a surprise. He loved her devotedly and had worked hard and saved his earnings in order to purchase a home for her. It was about midnight when he arrived, but, with a happy heart, he felt he must go by her home. However, when he came near he saw the house was all lighted up. As he came nearer he heard music. Still nearer he saw dancing. Finally looking through the window he saw his bride-to-be in the embrace of another man. His heart sank within him and he went away never to return.
If Jesus comes today, where will He find His professed bride? We are the bride of Christ; Satan and the world is the fake groom making us feel our lover will not return. But from His words, He has assured us that He'll return. Are you ready? When His disciples asked about his return, he said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only", Matthew24:36. When an important guest or visitor refuses to give details about when he would come, the wisest thing to do is to be fully prepared as though he may come the present moment. The wisdom for living that you and me must adopt should be that of a soldier that is ever ready. Living a life that is worthy of Him is the only way He'll find us rapturable. We must be watchful and abstain from distractions.
I love the fourth stanza and the chorus of the popular hymn "When Jesus Comes To Reward His Servants". It goes thus: "Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching,
In His glory they shall share;
If He shall come at the dawn or midnight,
Will He find us watching there?"
Chorus: O can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, watching when the Lord shall come?
Father, I receive grace to be ready when you come for me. Lord, excise from my life those carnal entanglements and weights and make me rapturable in Jesus name.