Scripture/Sermon of the Day.  November 12, 2023

25:1-13

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those young women got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 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.’ 10 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. 11 Later the other young women came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13 Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Reflection/Sermon:

I.       In chapter 24 — the one before this reading — Jesus gives his apocalyptic discourse.  In the scripture reading yesterday I explained that apocalyptic is “derived from the Greek verb apoklypto which means “reveal” or “disclose”.  This purpose of this kind of  literature was to “disclose divine secrets concerning God’s plan for the outcome of history and the final judgment.” 

The disciples wanted to know when this would happen.
Jesus said:  “Of that day and hour, no one knows — except the Father… but you must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

II.     After Jesus died, first-century Christians expected Jesus to come in their lifetimes and that they would be alive to see the end of the age and God’s judgment.  They expected a new world of peace and love.  But this didn’t happen and people became discouraged.  So the Gospel writers included stories like the reading today urging people to persevere in their faith.

III.    The story of the 10 bridesmaids is often interpreted as an allegory where the bridesmaids (virgins in other translations) represent Christians who await the bridegroom, Jesus.  The bridegroom’s delay alludes to Jesus not returning as soon as many had hoped.  The marriage feast is the symbol of the life of the age to come.  And the closed door stands for the last judgment.

IV.     But the part of the story that gives people problems is the oil — which the wise bridesmaids had and the the foolish ones did’t.  Martin Luther said the oil stood for faith.  Some say it’s love. Others say it’s good works.  So — what is it?

V.      Probably all of these.  But the main point of the story is BEING READY — ALWAYS.

Being ready was
 — doing good works                                                                 
— not doing bad works.                                                                 
— loving enemies, forgiving people, keeping faithful               
— and whatever practices strengthen faith.                                 
 It was staying loyl to Jesus and loving God.                               
BEING READY                                                                             
ALL THE TIME

VI.     That’s the challenge — STAYING FAITHFUL, FORGIVING, LOVING — whether we feel good or not, whether we have a great day or not — ready ALL THE TIME.

VII.    Jesus used this theme in his stories, like the parable of the Sower.  The seed fell on different soils — it fell in with THORNS — and the person’s faith got choked out by cares for the world.  It fell in ROCKY SOIL and didn’t develop deep roots and when trouble came — the seed died.  It fell on a path and the birds ate it — which Jesus explained is when the gospel is preached and people don’t understand it — the “evil one” comes and snatches away what was sown in the heart.

VIII.   It’s one thing to be ready — but Jesus says we have to be ready ALWAYS, ALL THE TIME.  Like the widow who banged on the unjust judges door and wouldn’t quit. 

Annie likes this Documentary movie about a football team, the Manassas Tigers, from a poor school and poor neighborhood in inner-city Memphis, Tennessee.  It’s called Undefeated (it won an Academy Award for best Documentary Feature in 2012).   The team was awful —in a typical season, they’d lose most games.  A man, Bill Courtney, volunteered to coach them and over the period of six seasons, made then into a winning team. His main message to them was “Never quit.  Even if you’re losing, keep playing with all your heart.”

Jesus sounded like coach Courtney in Undefeated, telling Christians that things may get bad, there will be wars, people will betray you, you’ll be persecuted.  You’ll have bad days and sometimes will fail and you’ll wonder where God is. But — don’t quit.  Keep doing the good works.  Keep the faith.  Keep loving the people who are persecuting you, and love God.  This is the oil, the fuel, in your lamp.  Keep it filled.  ALWAYS BE READY!