Keep the light on

Luke 12:35, 39, “Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps alight.” “And be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” In 1986 a commercial for Motel 6 came out featuring the slogan, “We’ll leave the light on for you.” I thought of this commercial when reading these scriptures. When we are expecting visitors, we may turn on the porch light, so they know we are home. At Halloween, kids look for the homes with the light on to get candy. Luke 13:39 is telling us if we had known at what hour the thief would come, we would be ready, and our house wouldn’t have been broken into. Verse 40 warns us, “You too, be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Is the light within you lit or has it begun to dim? This 1986 commercial was relaying to viewers that Motel 6 was always open, and you could find rest there. Luke 12:16-19 Jesus was telling a parable about a rich man who had so much that he reasoned with himself that he would build larger barns to store all his riches. In verse 19 he says, “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” Some may be relying on good deeds they did in the past and think they have enough stored up to take it easy now. The chapter continues and warns us to always be ready. Galatians 6:9 says, ‘Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap, if we do not grow weary.” We must never think we have done enough, and we can now rely on our past good works. Luke 12:35 is clear, “Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamp alight.” Revelation 3:2 tells us, “Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die, for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.” Is the oil in your lamp still burning bright or has it begun to dim? As long as we are here on earth, God has not found our deeds completed. We can’t be like the rich man who said to his soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come, take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” Luke 12:40 tells us, “You too, be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” Are you keeping the light turned on for Jesus?