Not that I’d verbalize it this way, but I wonder if sometimes, deep down, I think that what Christ’s done for us is done. That the Son of Man who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” has done that and so the work is finished. That what’s left to be done is what I can do in response for Him.

Maybe, sometimes, I remember that He’s not really done doing for us. That even now He is at the right of God interceding for us (Rom. 8:34), making intercession so that He might “save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him” (Heb. 7:25). Risen in glory, but still serving His own.

Buy hey, when He returns, then He will be done doing for us. Then this blood-bought, redeemed servant of Christ will bow, will sing, will gaze into His glory, face to face, and give Him the honor and glory and blessing due His name (Rev. 5:12b). Then it’ll be on us.

Not so fast . . .

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. . . . You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 12:35-37, 40 ESV)

The main point of Jesus’ parable is that the followers of Jesus are to be ready for the return of Jesus. Dressed for action, lamps burning, wide awake, ready whenever the Master comes to kick off the call to the wedding feast.

But what’s dropped my jaw a bit this morning is whatever Jesus is implying by the master in the story dressing himself for service, seating his servants at his table, and coming and serving them. What?!? The master who came the first time not to be served but to serve will also come and serve the second time? Hmm . . .

Okay, so it’s a parable with a clear main point, i.e. “You must be ready.” Thus, I need to be careful about reading too much into the other details included in the story. But wouldn’t it be safe to say that the actions of the master turning the tables (kind of literally) on his servants and serving them at his own wedding feast indicates, at the very least, his joy at again being with them? That while he’s happy to see they’re dressed for action and their lamps are burning at his return, that he’s also delighted at being reunited with them after physically being away for so long? That, if nothing else, these God-breathed, add-on details in the story indicate that Jesus is really looking forward to being with His own even as we long to be with Him? That, as much as we hope to hear, “Well done” when He returns, we could also hear, “So glad to see you!” I’m thinkin’ . . .

Sure, the Master will receive His servants. The King will welcome in His subjects. But would we dare to think that the One who said, “No longer do I call you servants . . . but I have called you friends” (Jn. 15:15), is also looking forward to being with His friends? I think we dare.

Don’t know for sure. Not wanting to read more into this story then is intended. But sure something to chew on.

I can only imagine . . . (thanx again MercyMe).

Because of grace. For His glory.