Watch Out!

Matthew 25:1-13 “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, 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. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 13 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” 
 
JESUS continues the Olivet Discourse with this “Keep watch!” parable.
   Weddings are joyful occasions, aren’t they? I think of how especially young women love to go to weddings and celebrate with the bridegroom and the bride. They plan, anticipate and join in the bride’s and groom’s joy.
   As we learn from the wedding in Cana (John 2), weddings in Judea during Jesus’ ministry were several days long. The wedding party would gather for meals and music to await the bridegroom. They didn’t know when he would come. But they had to wait as long as necessary for the groom if they wanted to be present during the marriage celebration. As in the parable, if they stepped out, they risked missing the bridegroom.
   Perhaps this is one of Jesus’ most heart-wrenching reminders of Judgment Day. Friends and relatives of the bride and bridegroom come to the wedding, anticipating the joyous union. People know and love each other.
   But something is missing within some hearts. Some people we love do not know Jesus. They are not ready for the bridegroom to come and consummate the wedding of the Lamb and of his bride: Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. This is the fullness of the Kingdom of God on earth. Those with the empty vessels of faithless hearts and empty minds will find it impossible to be filled with the Savior’s oil of joy: Hebrews 1:9 “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Tragically, they will be locked from eternal celebration because they are not prepared for the Bridegroom.
          When the Kingdom comes, it is the time God’s will is fully done on earth. We must be purposeful to pray for the Holy Spirit to help us experience Christ’s righteous oil and prepare our friends and loved ones for the Bridegroom’s unexpected arrival.