Ready or Not He is Coming! (Matthew 25:1-13)                                                                         2008.12.28    Pastor Richard Yu

As I was reflecting on my own faith in, and walk with, Christ, I discovered an apparent deficiency. And I suspect that this deficiency is not unique to me and that likely many of you share similar deficiency. This deficiency in me as a disciple of Jesus is that I do not live in and with the kind of passion for Jesus’ second coming that the believers in the New Testament times lived in and with. The promise of His return does not inform the way I live as it informed the way the New Testament believers lived.

Why? Is it because I secretly suspicious that He will not come after all? Or is it that my soul has become tired of waiting? Or is it that I, along with many Christians, still love this present world more than the one to come that we still want more time to enjoy life here?

How can we live with the same kind of passionate readiness for His return as did the believers in the early church? Matthew chapters 24 and 25 contains what Jesus taught about the birth pains before His return and the sign of His return, and how He wants us to be ready for His return.  It is plain from Jesus’ teaching that no one will know about that day or the hour, and since everything that has to happen before He comes has happened, His followers must be vigilant at being prepared and to live each day as if this is the day of His return. In the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids we learn what Jesus meant to teach us.

In this parable five of the ten bridesmaids were wise who are well prepared with the necessary oil, so that they could light up the wick in the oil at any time when the bridegroom shows up. The other five were foolish who did not take any oil with them therefore they could not keep the wick burning. The only difference between the foolish and the wise maidens is that the foolish ones do not have any oil to begin with. The wise were ready, but the foolish were not! Are we ready? That’s the question this parable is intended to raise for us.

What does having oil in the lamp represent? Some have thought that the oil represents good works. Others have suggested that this oil represents faith. Still others suggest that the oil is the gift of the Holy Spirit. It seems to me that Jesus actually gives us a clue in the parable itself. The words the five foolish maidens heard, “I do not know you,” suggests that the oil in this parable refers to a personal knowledge of the bridegroom. To be prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom is to know him ahead of his arrival. To be prepared for Jesus’ coming is to know Him now, ahead of His coming. The oil is the personal experience and the commitment to the living Jesus made possible by the Holy Spirit who gives birth to faith and good works.

But, here is the gospel. Jesus Himself makes this personal relationship possible. He comes to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. He breaths His very life into us. His Spirit comes to us and in us to make Jesus real to us. Therefore to be prepared for the glorious arrival of Jesus the bridegroom simply means living the gift He has already given to us – the gift of a relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. To be ready for His glorious coming means to receive Him every day until He comes.

Can you say today: “I know Jesus?” Not just “I know about Him” but “I know Him.” Are you growing in that relationship with Him? Have you tasted the life He gives and hunger and thirst for more? Do you love Him a little and want to love Him more? Are you obeying His commands and want to obey more?

How do we prepare for His any-moment arrival? Today and every day we welcome Him in. We say to Him, Lord I welcome You into my life this day.  Today and every day confess any sins that we know that might be in the way of knowing Him. Today and every day we express our desire to know Him better. We say to Him, I want to know You more, please don’t let me settle for my limited knowledge of You. I want to know You in all Your fullness. And today and every day we seek first the Kingdom. We say to Him, Lord, cause Your rule to break into my life. Let the light drive out any darkness, let holiness cleanse any uncleanliness. Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Come, Lord Jesus. Come. Reign in my life. That’s how we ready.

Are you ready? Ready or Not He Is Going to Come.