Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
[Intro]
Some years ago a tourist was traveling along the shores of Lake Como in Northern Italy. He wanted to visit especially one castle called Villa Arconti.
When the tourist reached the castle, a friendly old gardener opened the gate and showed the tourist the grounds, which this old man kept in perfect order.
The tourist asked the gardener, “How long have you been here?”
“Twenty-four years,” the gardener replied.
“And how often has the owner of the castle been here during that time?”
“Four times.”
“When was he here the last time?”
“Twelve years ago.”
“Never since then?”
“Never.”
“Does he write to you?”
“No.”
“From whom then do you get your instructions?”
“From the agent in Milan.”
“Does this agent come out here quite often?”
“Never.”
“Who, then, comes here?”
“I am almost always alone – only once in a great while a tourist comes here.”
“But you keep this garden in such fine condition and take such excellent care of all the plants, just as though you expected your master to come tomorrow.”
The gardener promptly replied, “Today, sir, today.”
This answer made a deep impression on the tourist. How faithful that gardener was in his trust!
Day after day his thought was not “Tomorrow the master may come” but “Today, sir, today.”
[Awake]
The Church and the world are both awake this evening, but for very different reasons.
The world has already forgotten about “the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 30:11) born just days ago, instead the world counts down to midnight – to 2019.
The Church – like the castle gardener – watches eagerly for her Master, who could be coming at any moment. Our Master Jesus says the Church is to always be ready for He will return at an hour we “do not expect” (Luke 12:40).
In this evening’s Gospel lesson, our Master Jesus tells us in a parable to always be ready.
Jesus said: “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” (Luke 12:35-36).
It was evening, and the master was in attendance at a wedding banquet away from his home.
While away, the servants knew that it was their duty to be on alert for their master’s return. When he came, they were to be at the door to open it and do the master’s bidding. They were to keep the lamps burning so that the master would return to a home bright with light.
So, why are you awake tonight? Are you only counting down to midnight, or are you alert for the Master’s return?
Before Christ ascended into heaven, He left instructions with this servants to be on constant alert for His return. Every Christian is a servant.
Now, our readiness is a spiritual one. We don’t have to be physically awake at all hours anticipating Christ’s return. But, we have to be ready in what we believe and teach about Christ.
If we are believing and teaching contrary to what Christ teaches, then we are not ready. We then have replaced Christ with another false god – a false god that offers no eternal hope.
Now, how do we know if we are truly ready for our Master’s return?
Well, we can look at the gardener. Even though the master last visited his castle 12 years ago, the gardener kept the grounds in pristine condition. During those years, he followed the instructions from his agent in Milan.
We, too, have received instructions. These instructions are found in God’s Written Word, the Holy Bible. This is how we stay awake.
Our Master supplies us through His Word and His Sacrament. There is nowhere else besides in the Master’s house – the church – where we are supplied to be ready:
- Through His Instruction here, we devote ourselves to His service.
- Through His Instruction here, we love our Master and we love our fellow servants by lifting up our fellow servants in the faith, and by loving all others outside the faith, so that through the Holy Spirit, they would come to faith.
- And through His Instruction here, we are eager to receive His promises: everlasting life, salvation, and forgiveness of sins.
[Are You Ready?]
Now, when the Master returns, will you be ready?
Jesus said: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes” (Luke 12:37a).
All who are prepared when the Master comes will no longer be just servants, but will become lords, and our Master will become our servant.
Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, [the master] will dress himself for service and have [the servants] recline at table, and he will come and serve them” (Luke 12:37b).
This is another great exchange. Who would ever expect the Master to serve the servants? But this is what Jesus does for all who abide in Him.
Just a week ago, we celebrated Christ’s Incarnation with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. We celebrate Emmanuel – God with us – not just because He was born that day, but because of what He did for us through His entire earthly life.
The Apostle Paul reminds us: If Christ had not been raised from the dead, then our preaching is in vain and our faith is in vain. Our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17)
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He has ascended into heaven and as our Master, He promises to return.
And, He will return. He will return when we least expect it. He will return like a thief in the night.
But, as Christians, we have nothing to fear. As Christians receiving God’s forgiveness in His Word and Sacrament, we only have hope. We live in hope, because we know that nothing can “separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:39).
[Conclusion]
As followers of Christ – this night – remember that we are forgiven and ready for our Master’s return. Yes, it is fine to watch the Times’ Square ball drop to announce 2019, but at the same time be ready for what really matters: our Master’s return for “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:40). Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
T SOLI DEO GLORIA T
Sermon preached at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Minnesota.
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