Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Passion Week
Mathew Lukose
Epiphany MTC, NY
13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor
the hour.
During passion week we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; what he did for us on the cross. The Olivet Discourse of Matthew chapters 24 and 25 is the Lord’s own sermon on His second coming. Jesus gave the signs of His second coming and now in this parable He warns the world to be ready for when He returns.
Weddings in Jesus' day and culture were a little different than ours. It wasn’t the bride that everyone was waiting for; rather for the groom. However in this parable the focus is not on the groom, but on the ten bridesmaids or virgins; five wise and five foolish. They are waiting for the groom but there is no time on the wedding invite; he will come when he is ready. The bridesmaids are ready, and they have each brought their oil lamps with them. It is getting dark, their eyes grow heavy, and one by one, they all fell asleep.
Have you had a time when you’re fast asleep and then you are awakened suddenly? Like when the phone rings at 2 a.m. and you don’t know where you are. As these bridesmaids sleep, suddenly the cry goes up, “Look, here is the Bridegroom”, come out to meet him.
The bridesmaids wake up, the lamps are gathered up, they are trimmed ready to show the way for the groom, except there is one problem. The five foolish ones didn't bring enough oil so they have no oil left, their lamps are going out. They ask the wise virgins to share their oil and they politely refused. So the foolish virgins go, looking for a store to get some oil, but at that very time, while they were away, the bridegroom arrives. The wise bridesmaids with their lighted lamps greet the groom and go to the wedding feast. The door is shut, the party begins.
After a while the foolish virgins with their lamps now lit arrive at the door. There is no one around. They knock on the door. They expect to get in, but they get a surprising reply. They cried; “Lord, Lord, open to us”. But he replied, “Truly I tell you I do not know you. The foolish virgins missed out.
Jesus is teaching us about his return. This is what it will be like when Jesus comes and His kingdom is finally revealed. Jesus the bridegroom is coming, it is the moment we are all waiting for. Are you ready to meet Him?
On the surface all ten bridesmaids looked the same, but only half of them were welcomed in. There is no second chance once the bridegroom has arrived. You see, sometimes we think that we will live life the way we want and repent on our death bed. But The Lord Jesus could return this very day. Jesus is urging us to be like the wise virgins; to be ready, willing and eager to greet him when He comes. “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Our task is to be ready to greet Him, to be like the wise virgins, with lighted lamps.
During passion week we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; what he did for us on the cross. The Olivet Discourse of Matthew chapters 24 and 25 is the Lord’s own sermon on His second coming. Jesus gave the signs of His second coming and now in this parable He warns the world to be ready for when He returns.
Weddings in Jesus' day and culture were a little different than ours. It wasn’t the bride that everyone was waiting for; rather for the groom. However in this parable the focus is not on the groom, but on the ten bridesmaids or virgins; five wise and five foolish. They are waiting for the groom but there is no time on the wedding invite; he will come when he is ready. The bridesmaids are ready, and they have each brought their oil lamps with them. It is getting dark, their eyes grow heavy, and one by one, they all fell asleep.
Have you had a time when you’re fast asleep and then you are awakened suddenly? Like when the phone rings at 2 a.m. and you don’t know where you are. As these bridesmaids sleep, suddenly the cry goes up, “Look, here is the Bridegroom”, come out to meet him.
The bridesmaids wake up, the lamps are gathered up, they are trimmed ready to show the way for the groom, except there is one problem. The five foolish ones didn't bring enough oil so they have no oil left, their lamps are going out. They ask the wise virgins to share their oil and they politely refused. So the foolish virgins go, looking for a store to get some oil, but at that very time, while they were away, the bridegroom arrives. The wise bridesmaids with their lighted lamps greet the groom and go to the wedding feast. The door is shut, the party begins.
After a while the foolish virgins with their lamps now lit arrive at the door. There is no one around. They knock on the door. They expect to get in, but they get a surprising reply. They cried; “Lord, Lord, open to us”. But he replied, “Truly I tell you I do not know you. The foolish virgins missed out.
Jesus is teaching us about his return. This is what it will be like when Jesus comes and His kingdom is finally revealed. Jesus the bridegroom is coming, it is the moment we are all waiting for. Are you ready to meet Him?
On the surface all ten bridesmaids looked the same, but only half of them were welcomed in. There is no second chance once the bridegroom has arrived. You see, sometimes we think that we will live life the way we want and repent on our death bed. But The Lord Jesus could return this very day. Jesus is urging us to be like the wise virgins; to be ready, willing and eager to greet him when He comes. “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Our task is to be ready to greet Him, to be like the wise virgins, with lighted lamps.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for
laying down your life so we can have eternal life. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Jesus bridges the gap between God and humans.
Correction: The March
31st devotion was written by Bibin George of Christos MTC,
Philadelphia, PA. Apologies for the error. Jesus bridges the gap between God and humans.