Matthew 25:1-13 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 25:1-13 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 25"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Verse 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Verse 3When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; Verse 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. Verse 5As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. Verse 6But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Verse 7Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. Verse 8The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' Verse 9But 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.' Verse 10And 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. Verse 11Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' Verse 12But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Verse 13Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Devotion
One year when this text from the Gospel of Matthew came up in the lectionary, I dressed up as the 10th bridesmaid for my sermon. I bought a size 6 shocking pink, satin prom dress at Goodwill. I cut the front from the back and pinned it to my shirt and pants. I came into the chancel saying, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” in my best New York accent! I turned sideways showing the 8” gap and stated, “I don’t think I was their first choice!” I then confessed I had missed the bridegroom’s arrival! I had one job as the 10th bridesmaid and that was to keep my lamp lit! However, I was so worried about how I looked that I failed to reflect on the most important thing! How do we miss the bridegroom Jesus as the most important thing in our lives?
Prayer
Gracious and loving God. We often get so distracted in our lives that we fail to pray and praise you. We get too busy for worship when it is usually exactly what we need. Be with your children throughout their seasons of life with never enough time. Surround me and others this day in what we need to keep our lamps burning. Amen.
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