Photo by Eradio Valverde
People, Get Ready!
From Matthew 25:1-13: "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, "No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, "Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Jesus loved weddings. We know He attended the one at Cana of Galilee and images of God's coming kingdom contain wedding references and images. And as He shared stories about the coming kingdom, He stressed common themes; readiness and responsibility. The common practice of His day was a days long celebration, with some element of mystery and surprise, such as this story contains. The bridesmaids were to be ready for the bridegroom's arrival, and some would say a tradition that continues in most marriage ceremonies even today, it never starts on time! But in Jesus' day, the bridegroom would come in, usually at night, the bridesmaids had to help light the way and announce the wedding. Five bridesmaids were ready; five were not. Some planned ahead; some did not. Those who did, showed their capacity for responsibility by being ready ahead of time by bringing additional oil. The ones who were not ready, brought only the oil in their lamps. The arrival of the groom was not until midnight and all had fallen asleep until the shout, "Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" Those who were ready enjoyed the bright light of readiness, the others could not. They asked for the readied ones to share with them, but in the rush to greet and walk with the groom, they could not. They were sent to buy, at midnight, from the dealers; the bridegroom came and off they went, the not prepared were left out.
Jesus is saying for us to live a life that is ready and responsible for all that needs to be done both now and in the coming days. We do not know when the Bridegroom is coming to take us home, so we have to be ready; and responsibility to be ready is ours alone. Our task is to get others ready and encourage their readiness. No one knows the day nor the hour, but those who are ready will not care about the day nor hour for they will be ready and in the procession that leads to the eternal celebration.
Are you ready? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Do you know that He died to free you from all your sins and make you right with God? If you do not, simply say the simple, but powerful prayer: Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner. I repent of my sins and desire a relationship with You. Come into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. Amen. That is but the first of the readiness Christ expects from you. Be active in a church, study all you can, and grow in your love and relationship with Jesus and love others. Be a part of that which brings them in!
PRAYER: Loving Lord, for those who today have said that simple prayer, thank You! I know the angels in Heaven are rejoicing for the one who has returned to You. And for those who have not yet said that prayer or invited You in, help me be a part of that effort that will bring them in. Give us courage and strength. This I pray in Your name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
