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Narration of the devotional here: https://bit.ly/3kPzwzz
1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 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.' 10 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. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, "Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 NRSV)
I pray a blessed and Happy Monday to you, dear Friend. May all the blessing of God be with you. We rejoice in all the answered prayers shared with everyone who have asked of us to pray. Nellie and I rejoice in the way all of you prayed for our newest grandson, Eli Ryan Muñoz, who is home and enjoying his new formula. We pray he gain weight as the doctor has asked. We pray for those who remembered loved ones during All Saints Sunday remembrance services. Read were the names of those who joined the Church Triumphant, and we pray God's comfort and peace be with them all. Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.
Weddings in most parts of the world are lavish affairs, ranging from a 20-minute civil service done in a Justice of the Peace's office, to multi-day affairs. The prices for weddings also run the gamut of inexpensive to Oh My Lanta! The weddings in Jesus' day were of the lavish, many days involved; with food for all the days, as well as a drama of sorts that involved the arrival of the bridegroom. No one knew exactly when the groom would arrive and that added an entertainment or frustration factor (depending on whose side of the bridal party you belonged!). The addition of the ten virgins or bridesmaids was also part of the drama. They would light the way for the groom and the bride, and they especially had to be ready for the arrival of the groom.
Jesus uses this well-known tradition in His culture to illustrate the seriousness of being ready for anything that involved the kingdom of heaven. Jesus speaks of the kingdom being here already with workers needed now and thus the readiness part is important, as well as to refer to His coming again, and no one knowing exactly when that would be. Again, readiness is a key factor for all who want to be a part of the reunion and celebration. The reality of what may happen in either case is illustrated by those bridesmaids who planned poorly and were not able to be full participants in the ceremony and were left out; as will be the case for those of us who regard other things are being more important and which merit our dedication to them rather than the things of God. Surely, nothing is worth more than being included in all things God, rather than being left out for good when Jesus returns for us.
Those who are ready are known by the Lord, and their entry into the joy of the Lord will be theirs; but those who have not prepared and are not ready will hear the sad words of those who came too late, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you." Jesus' last words in this passage should be our inspiration for that joyous day, "Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us be awake and ready for work in Your kingdom now and on that day in which You return for us. We strive to know You and serve You even now, and await to enter the joy of Your return whenever that day may be. In Christ Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Help someone be ready today by sharing this lesson with them!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
