Series: Our Primary Concern
Part Four: Third Application/Conclusion
By: Kristen L. McNulty
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In the past three weeks we've been taking a look at Luke, chapter 12, starting at verse 30. In this section of scripture, Jesus said that He would give us all we need from day to day if we make the Kingdom of God our primary concern. He then went on to talk about ways that we can apply this to our lives.
Last week we talked about keeping our heart and thoughts focused on God's Kingdom. The week before we spoke about selling what we have to give to those in need. This week we're going to conclude this four part series with the last two principles as found in verses 35 and 36. Before we dig into them, let's read them in context as found in Luke chapter 12, verses 35-38:
"Be dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for his return. I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready!"
We can see that there is clearly a two fold application found here. Be ready for the Lord's return and by being ready we have to be dressed and ready for service.
Let me use an illustration. On a hockey team there are some players who play most of the game, but then there are players who have been assigned to the fourth or fifth lines. They may never put their stick to the ice, but they sit on the bench, listen to the pep talks, and wear their equipment in the same way as any other player. The application? Just like the players on the fifth line sit there listening in case the coach calls them on the ice, we should be awaiting Christ's return even though we don't know if it will happen in our lifetimes. Also, like the players on the fifth line who show up week after week wearing their equipment even though they don't often get called in the game, we as Christians must be dressed and ready for service at all times. You may think that you should only be ready to serve when you go to carry out your ministry, but the truth is, we as Christians must be ready for any opportunity that God sends our way.
And by putting these things in practice, we have made the Kingdom of God our primary concern. How? Well, if we are ready for Christ to return at any moment, it is only natural that the Kingdom of God has just become our primary concern. If not, then you are truly not ready for Christ to return at any second. And if we are dressed for service, then when an opportunity comes along for us to serve and therefore advance the kingdom, we are ready because the Kingdom of God has become more important to us than all else.
Before we close this devotional and this series, let's recap. If you want to make the Kingdom of God our primary concern : Sell what you have and give to those in need, keep your heart and thoughts focused, be dressed and ready for service, and watch for the Lord's return. My prayer is that through examining this section of scripture with me, you are ready to apply it and truly make the Kingdom your life, and your primary concern. After all, it's because someone else did that you and I were pointed to Jesus. The least we can do is repay the favor to others who don't yet know Him.
This devotional was aired as a part of the Making A Difference Christian Radio Show.