We often dress for the occasion. But Jesus instructs us to be dressed for action and to keep our lamps lit.

Last week, we were called to focus on things that are above reflecting on the parable of the rich farmer. The parable disturbed many. Today’s gospel continues that message. Jesus teaches his followers to be ready for the Kingdom of God. Jesus addresses their fears. Unlike the rich farmer, they need not worry if they are serving God.

Jesus says: “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.”
This is another call to faith, to be connected to God.

A proverb from Serbia echoes the preparedness to meet our redeemer. “Be humble, you are made of earth. Be noble, you are made stars.” Isaiah’s words deepen this theme of connection. In Isaiah 1, we hear a dispute between God and the people over their failure to stay close to Him:

“Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

These words challenge me deeply. Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. I struggle with them when I hear and read the news about the 890 people sleeping rough in our city. Just last week, Britain’s minister for homelessness has resigned after claims she evicted tenants from a property she owns and then increased the rent by hundreds of pounds. It has not happened in Aotearoa at least.

Jesus’ call “dressed up for action, have your lamps lit” urges me to engage with Christian forums addressing homelessness. All agree that it is the government’s policy that has driven many people to sleep in cars and on the streets. Those engaged with the issue carry heavy hearts striving to be faithful to Jesus’ call. We long for leaders with compassion—not those driven by greed.

Isaiah’s message, and indeed the whole Bible, speaks of God’s grace and our failure to live up to it. Yet God is always willing to restore us, if we are willing and obedient. This is the action God asks of us: to stay connected and to serve. The world is changing rapidly all around us. We must stay alert to Jesus’ call.

So how do we stay dressed for action, with our lamps lit? The parable gives us a picture.

The servants give themselves wholly to their role. They stay ready, even while their master is away at a wedding. They do not do so for a promotion. They do it because they are committed. This is a metaphor for the Christian life. Scripture describes us as servants serving and waiting for our true Master.

The invitation is clear: do not be afraid. Be ready to receive. Fear and readiness are connected. It is hard to receive anything when we are afraid. To receive, we must clear out what clutter our hearts. We must make room for the new by letting go of the old. We prepare by participating in the Kingdom—by sharing, giving, and embracing servanthood.

We will receive far more than we give. We receive God’s very self who comes and joins us in the giving and receiving. Jesus did this in the incarnation. The Holy Spirit continues to do so in every act of Christian living. Jesus’ teaching is not meant to frighten us, but to prepare us to meet the Redeemer.

The reading from Hebrews reminds us to live by faith. It defines that faith as “the assurance of the things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” What does it mean to live by faith? The writer explains how those who had faith simply followed God into the unknown—and were blessed. Living by faith means continuing on the path to which God calls us, even when we don’t see immediate results.
Jesus paints a picture of readiness— prepared for God’s redeeming act, prepared for the unseen and the unknown.

So let us always be ready for our redeemer’s return. Let us be dressed for action. Let our lamps be lit.
Amen.