‘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. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will make them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. Luke 12:35-37

 

A master comes home late from a wedding banquet. Instead of just slumping off to bed or ordering his servants to make him a late-night snack, this master changes into work clothes and waits on his servants.

 

What a strange parable! I imagine that the people who stood around Jesus listening to it were utterly perplexed. An aristocrat keeping the water goblets full while his servants feasted? Impossible.

 

It has become less strange to us because we recognize Jesus as this master. When Jesus was born, he dressed himself to serve, so to speak. Jesus demonstrated this again when he wrapped himself with a towel and washed his disciples’ feet (see John 13). And when his disciples wondered who was greatest, Jesus emphasized that he came to be among us as one who serves (Luke 22:27).

 

Central to the kingdom of God is the character of the king. When we grasp the servant heart of God, it is impossible not to be overwhelmed with the grace of God. Jesus indicates that we honour him best when we dress down and serve others

 

Prayer: Lord God, we are used to getting our way, and we love to be served. Humble us, that we may look to the interests of others, not just our own, and so honour you. Amen.