11/4/10 Matthew 25:1-13 Be Prepared

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.

(Ten Virgins- Franken 1680)

Thoughts: The motto of the Boy Scouts of America is "Be Prepared."  But how often we let things slip on us- an exam, a deadline, a vacation,  We should be prepared for meeting God every day.  We do not need to start cramming to meet Him like if the doctor tells us we have cancer.  We may let our energy for God run out if we do not feed our energy for God by daily prayer and daily Bible reading and regular worship.  Such things recharge the batteries of our faith so that we are ready.

Prayer: May I always be ready for you, O Lord.  May I always be prepared.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUseW_yJkpg ("Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" Hot Tuna 1986)

John Calvin abridged: it is not enough to have ardent zeal for a short time, if we have not also a constancy that never tires.  Believers need to have unceasing supplies of courage, to support the flame which is kindled in their hearts, otherwise their zeal will fail before they have completed the long journey.