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
First the bad news: all ten maidens fell asleep—five didn’t plan and the other five didn’t share. What a bummer! But oh how true of our human story. Leave it to us and no matter how good our intentions, eventually we will mess up.
Now the good news: the bridegroom comes and the banquet table is waiting! How different our world is when we remember that Jesus is present and that we are invited to God’s banquet table.
I do not need reminders of my failures—I know them well enough; my lamp has gone out more than once. What I need and what we preach is the good news. Jesus is coming. He has prepared a place for us at the banquet table. And, it is this good news that may very well change my life. I might surprise everyone and myself by keeping the oil in my lamp because of the Light in my heart.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for being the Light in my dark world. Let your light/my light shine so that others may see the good works and give glory to our Father in heaven. Amen.