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
I can’t think of sadder words for any of us to hear than to hear Jesus say: “I do not know you.” This is what makes the Gospel story so precious to me: While I was yet a sinner, a stranger, an enemy, God in Christ called me, chose me, named and claimed me as his own—not by my works but His.
You and I are His—He knows each one of us, not only by our name, but by our voice. How good it feels when someone calls us by name. And it is nice to be known—we are no longer faceless strangers in a crowd.
Our work as pastors and lay people is important because there are far too many of our friends and neighbors who do not know that Jesus wants to know them by name too. This is why we are called and sent as his disciples.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for knowing my name and thank you for the privilege of helping others discover that good news for their life as well. Amen.