35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,
This passage tells us that those who are not watching for Jesus’ return will be surprised when it happens. They will be caught off guard. But this passage also tells us that those of us who are ready and watching will not be surprised. Have you ever had a surprise birthday party? I mean, you were caught completely off guard. You had no idea it was about to happen. And then all of a sudden, “Surprise” overtakes you. Have you ever found out about a surprise party and then walked into it? A very different experience, wasn’t it! There was no surprise. How could there be, you knew about it in advance. You knew it was on the other side of the door. You had prepared your response. Those of us who know Jesus is returning have the opportunity to prepare our response in advance. We will not be surprised. Those who don’t expect His return, don’t have any response prepared. They will be caught off guard. So, in which group are you? Are you preparing yourself and your response, or are you ignoring the reality of His return? If you are ignoring, you will be caught by surprise when He returns.
The Arnold Journey 