More Than A Moment

Read: Matthew 25:1-13

Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. . . . So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. Matthew 25:1, 13

IN WORD

Jesus has just told a series of parables that warn His followers to watch for His return. He follows them up with another, this one about ten young women who were to be part of a wedding procession. They all went out to meet the bridegroom, but only five of them brought enough oil to keep their lamps burning for a long wait. When the other five went off to buy oil—an unlikely prospect in the middle of the night—that’s when the bridegroom came. The five who were there went into the wedding banquet. The five who had left were shut out.

All the young women were sleeping when the bridegroom returned, so that wasn’t the issue. The difference between the two groups of bridesmaids was whether they had oil for their lamps to burn during the procession; whether they had anticipated a delay and had prepared themselves. So what are we to make of those who went off to buy more oil? What do they represent? They can’t be true believers; the bridegroom denies he knows them. Are they people with a claim of Christian belief but no oil of the Spirit? False believers? People mildly interested but not really dedicated?

Jesus told an alarming number of parables about people who thought they were “in” when they were really “out.” Some of them were overtly directed at the religious leaders of the day, but others were directed at anyone who wasn’t prepared. This one falls in the second category, and it’s somewhat frightening. It reminds us that deferring spiritual decisions and actions until later is not a wise option. We always need to be “all in.”

IN DEED

Kingdom life is not for the impatient. We don’t know when Jesus is coming back, but if we really love Him, we don’t have to try to time our repentance, our faith, our works, or anything else to coincide with His return. We aren’t trying to look good for that moment. True love is always anticipating an encounter. We’re ready all the time.

ADDITIONAL READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

Christ has told us He will come, but not when, that we might never put off our clothes, or put out the candle.

WILLIAM GURNALL