What is he doing?
The servant stared with bewilderment as his master girded up his garment and bent down to the bowl of water. He had done as his lord had commanded—he was dressed and ready for service; the lamps were burning, even though it was already the third watch. He was still awake.
He had sprung to his feet the moment heard the knock at the door. He had opened the door to find his master standing, weary from the long feast and the hard journey home, but with a look of approval on his face.
“Well done, my servant,” the master had said, handing his cloak and saddle bag to the servant.
“Welcome home, lord,” the servant had exclaimed, moving quickly back as his master entered the house. He shut the door and laid the things aside. “Everything is ready. You must be exhausted.” He moved toward the inner chambers. “Come, I will help you prepare to retire.”
But his master had not followed him; instead, he had turned aside toward the dining room.
What is he doing?
Following behind his master, the servant watched as he dressed himself for service. He carefully washed his hands in the basin, drying them on the cloth lying beside it. He turned to the servant.
“Come, my faithful servant,” he said, gesturing to the table. “Recline at table, and I will come and serve you.”
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.
Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service
and have them recline at table,
and he will come and serve them.
(Luke 12:37)
About Scott Aniol
Scott Aniol is the founder and Executive Director of Religious Affections Ministries. He is director of doctoral worship studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in ministry, worship, hymnology, aesthetics, culture, and philosophy. He is the author of Worship in Song: A Biblical Approach to Music and Worship, Sound Worship: A Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World, and By the Waters of Babylon: Worship in a Post-Christian Culture, and speaks around the country in churches and conferences. He is an elder in his church in Fort Worth, TX where he resides with his wife and four children. Views posted here are his own and not necessarily those of his employer.
