2020 Daily Devotion - Day 255

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Matthew 25:1-15 NRSV – The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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.’ 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. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

This parable actually depicts the way weddings were conducted in the days of Jesus. The couple did not go away on a honeymoon, but rather stayed in their new home and welcomed guests for an entire week to celebrate. In addition, many would wait for the arrival of the groom, and they never knew when he would come. In this parable, we find some are ready and others are not.

The same idea is present during these days of Advent. Advent is not only a season of focus on the first coming of Jesus, but on His second coming as well. And the question of the parable and Advent is simply – are we ready? Have we run out of oil?

In our time, preparation for His second coming is the oil of faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, and not in our good deeds. Just as the oil for these young women could not be borrowed, you cannot borrow faith. Even if your grandfather was a pastor, faith in Jesus must be your own; empowered by the Holy Spirit. So, during this Advent season, we must move beyond religion and have a relationship with Jesus, trusting Him as our Savior who has come into the world to rescue us from sin and death.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, too often we get caught up in religion, along with our own self-will. We fail to embrace the essence of what You are doing. You have come into our world, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to rescue us. Help us to be ready with our oil lamps full of faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. In His name we pray. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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