Rachel Workman:
25 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids[a] who took their lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The
five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps,
4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.
5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell
asleep.6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
As of late I've been reminded that we don't know when our last day will be. In one day, in one diagnoses everything can change. It's the "extra oil" that we carry that will get us though the dark days of doubt and questioning. Our hope and salvation all rests in Christ. We need to guard our hearts and our faith, there is no doubt that in this life we will need them.
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Allen Michaels: 25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come
out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and
you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom
arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open
the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the
hour.
Jesus
warns us that there are consequences for being unprepared. There are
certain things we cannot obtain at the last moment. For example, a
student cannot start
studying for their driving exam today, when the road test is tomorrow.
I could not possibly perform open heart surgery on somebody unless I
already possess the skills required to perform such a difficult task.
Our eternal welfare depends on our hearing, and
many have trained themselves to not hear. We will not be prepared to
meet the Lord, face to face, when he calls us on the Day of Judgment,
unless we listen to him today. The Lord invites us to feast at his
banquet table. Are we ready? If Jesus were to come
down from Heaven today I think I would be in “deep Kimchee.” I take for
granted that I have plenty of time to prepare myself.
“Lord,
make me vigilant and attentive to your voice that I may heed your call
at all times. May I find joy in your presence and delight in doing your
will. In
Jesus name I pray. Amen”
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Tomorrow's Reading for Matthew 25:14-21
14 “Again,
the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on
a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to
them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver[b]
to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the
last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his
trip.
16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together![c]’
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