- Covered In His Dust
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- Luke Chapter 12 (part 2)
Good morning! ☀️
"When disciples followed a rabbi, they followed him closely so they would never be out of his sight, never be someplace where they couldn’t hear him speak. They followed him so closely that his sandals often kicked up dust."
May you be covered in His dust.
If this is your first time getting Covered in His Dust, WELCOME!
Read Chapter 12 before reading my notes. They’ll make more sense. Read Luke 12 HERE.
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We have a TON to cover today, so let’s get on with it.
Luke 12:35-40 is the type of scripture that may ring familiar to us, and we might think we grasp its meaning, but do we?
Keep your lamps burning, and be ready; Jesus is coming.
But what does “be ready” mean? Practically?
To be ready means that the master shouldn’t have to bang on the door to wake us up.
To be ready means up and waiting. Standing watch. We are His servants, and He is our Master.
But how can we be ready?
It's about being spiritually alert and active in your faith.
Praying.
Reading and studying the Bible.
It’s cultivating virtues like love, compassion, and forgiveness.
It’s seeking after righteousness and drawing close to the Master.
Being ready also means living a life aligned with the teachings of Jesus. Practicing honesty, integrity, kindness, and humility. Treating others with respect and dignity, and striving to live according to the principles of love and justice.
The 2nd and 3rd watch
In ancient times, watches were used primarily for security and surveillance purposes. Different cultures and societies used the concept of watches, but they were mostly associated with military and urban settings.
Military forces, including the Romans and the Greeks, divided the night into watches to organize guard duty and maintain security around their camps or fortifications. Soldiers would be assigned to different watches throughout the night to ensure that there was always someone on alert for potential threats or attacks from enemies.
In urban areas, particularly cities with walls or fortified structures, watches were implemented to protect against intruders. Guards would patrol the city walls or streets during different watches to maintain order and protect the residents from threats.
Watches were sometimes employed by families and communities living in more vulnerable or isolated areas. Family members would take turns keeping watch throughout the night to protect their homes and loved ones from dangers such as wild animals or raids from neighboring tribes.
An inconceivable blessing
Despite all the warnings in this passage, there’s a profound promise for those who diligently ready themselves for their master's return.
Jesus, after sacrificing Himself on the cross for humanity's sins, not only offers salvation through faith in Him but also promises a profound reward for those who stay vigilant and prepared.
Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
To be ready, we must recognize what destroys readiness.
Sin: When we give in to certain sinful behaviors, it's like blunting the sharpness of our spiritual awareness. Even when we know something is wrong, we might still choose to do it, rationalizing that God will forgive us anyway. But this indulgence creates a distance between us and God, making it harder to recognize His presence and hear His voice in our lives.
Neglecting Prayer: Staying spiritually alert takes spending time in prayer and connecting with Jesus. If we're too busy or distracted to make prayer a priority, it's like leaving our guard down. Attending church alone isn't enough; without regular prayer, our spiritual senses become dull, and we may miss out on the guidance and presence of God.
Incorrect Beliefs: What we believe about Jesus' return matters. If we don't truly expect Him to come back in our lifetime, it's easy to become complacent and unprepared. We might think we have plenty of time to get our lives in order, but this mindset leaves us vulnerable to being caught off guard when He does return. Keeping a sense of anticipation for His coming helps us stay spiritually awake and ready for whatever lies ahead.
“That’s not me,” or “Where is that me?”
As believers, we often look at the Unfaithful Servant, the Pharisees, or even Judas and think, “I wouldn’t do that,” yet with closer examination,
We
All
Do
That
And the sooner we recognize it, the sooner we can repent and seek after righteousness - Matthew 5:6
What does NOT being ready look like?
You might stop actively seeking spiritual growth and connection with God. You might neglect prayer, Bible reading, and attending church.
Instead of living out the teachings of love, kindness, and compassion, you might justify things you do to harm others. This could include verbal or emotional abuse, gossiping, or using others for your own benefit.
Like the servant in the parable who begins to eat, drink, and get drunk, you might indulge in excessive or unhealthy behaviors. Overeating? Substance abuse? Pornography? Looking for fulfillment in material possessions or worldly pleasures?
“Lord, my deepest desire is to serve You at all times and in all ways. To never be found sleeping. To open the door before You even knock.”
Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
We’ve read a lot about servants in this chapter. It’s important to note that ‘servant’ in the original Greek text is "δοῦλος" (doulos), which can be translated as "servant" but also as "slave.”
Some "douloi" were treated as valued members of the household, entrusted with significant responsibilities and privileges. Others, however, faced harsh conditions and exploitation similar to what we might typically associate with slavery.
Submission and Obedience: A servant is someone who submits to authority. Similarly, Jesus expects His disciples to submit to His teachings and follow His instructions.
Responsibility and Duty: Servants have specific responsibilities and duties assigned to them by their master. Likewise, Jesus assigns tasks and responsibilities to His disciples within the context of their relationship with Him and His kingdom.
Accountability: Servants are accountable to their master for their actions and how they fulfill their duties. Similarly, Jesus emphasizes the accountability of His disciples for their faithfulness and obedience to Him.
Dependence: Servants depend on their master for guidance, provision, and protection. Similarly, Jesus teaches His disciples to depend on Him for spiritual guidance, provision, and protection.
What the what? Let’s break it down one passage at a time.
Luke 12:49: "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!": Jesus is expressing His fervent desire for the transformative power of His message and mission to ignite the hearts and lives of people, much like fire spreads rapidly and consumes everything in its path. The "fire" symbolizes the purifying and refining work of the Holy Spirit, bringing about spiritual renewal and awakening.
Luke 12:50: "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!": Jesus speaks of His impending suffering and death, referring to His baptism of suffering on the cross. Despite the distress He feels knowing what awaits Him, He is determined to fulfill His mission and bring about salvation for humanity.
Luke 12:51: "Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.": Jesus contrasts the common expectation of peace with the reality of division that His message will bring. His teachings and the radical demands of discipleship will inevitably lead to division among people, separating those who accept Him from those who reject Him.
Luke 12:52: "For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.": Jesus speaks to the extent of division His message will cause, even within families. The decision to follow Him will create tensions and conflicts, causing division even among close relatives.
Luke 12:52: "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.": Jesus emphasizes that the division will penetrate the closest bonds of family relationships, highlighting the profound impact of His message on individual lives and society as a whole.
“You hypocrites!”
What is Jesus teaching here?
We live in a world inundated with information and distractions, yet too often, we fail to recognize the spiritual realities unfolding before us.
Are we attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, or are we consumed by the cares and concerns of this world?
Jesus is calling us to spiritual discernment, urging us to wake up to the urgency of the times we are living in. Just as the crowds could predict the weather, we must be able to discern the movements of God's Spirit and respond accordingly.
“Not me,” or “Where do I?”
Here are some ways we are consumed by the world:
Financial stability and security.
Career advancement and success.
Health and wellness for oneself and loved ones.
Relationships, including family, friends, and romantic partners.
Housing and living conditions.
Education and academic achievements.
Personal safety and security, including concerns about crime and violence.
Environmental issues, such as climate change and pollution.
Political instability and concerns about government policies.
Personal fulfillment and finding meaning and purpose in life.
For you are a mist.
Imagine you're heading to court, facing serious charges, and you have the opportunity to settle with your accuser along the way. Jesus is urging us to settle with God now, before we stand before Him in the final judgment.
Who is the accuser here? It's not Satan, but God Himself, whose law we've violated. We've all fallen short of His standards, and He is just in bringing charges against us. Yet, in His mercy, God provided a way for our debt to be paid through Jesus Christ. Jesus became our defense attorney, paying the price for our sins on the cross, so that we could be declared righteous before God.
But here's the warning: if we wait until judgment day to settle with God, it will be too late. Everything we value will be stripped away, and we'll be left with an eternal sentence for our sins. Just as God revealed His justice on Mount Sinai, He will uphold His righteous judgment in the final day.
So, what's the takeaway for us? Let's not delay in settling matters with God. Let's repent of our sins, trust in Jesus as our Savior, and live lives that honor Him. Don't wait until it's too late. The time to settle with God is now.
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
There was so much in today’s notes. I hope it blessed you.
Reply and tell me what stood out most. I’ll choose one, publish it on Friday, and send you the book Do You Love Me? Giving up the American Dream to serve the underprivileged.
We’re halfway done with the Gospel of Luke!
If you missed any of the first 12 chapters, login by clicking “Read Online” at the top right of this post. Scroll to the bottom. Everything you’ve missed is there.
Don’t read my notes until you’ve read the chapter. It will not make sense.
I’ll see you early Friday morning!
I love you,
George
Uncovering Scripture