How do you feel about being on time? About being prepared? Most of us take preparedness and promptness very seriously. We don't like to keep people waiting or to waste their time. In our society more than some others I can think of, we find it especially impolite to be late for appointments or to not follow through on our responsibilities. As citizens, we take great care not to insult someone by keeping them waiting, or by not doing what we say we will do. We regard our personal accountability as a reflection of our character and of our priorities in life. The way we treat others regarding time and preparedness says who we are.
Today, Jesus shares the parable of the ten bridesmaids. Some are prepared and on time and some aren't. And because of that, some are allowed to go with the bridegroom and some aren't. Those who didn't have any oil were late because at the last minute they went out to get some. By the time they returned, it was too late. The door was shut. There was no way in. Promptness and preparedness are important in this story that Jesus tells.
This parable, or story, is really an allegory. Everything in the story represents or symbolizes something else. The bridesmaids-or girls-or virgins (depending on which translation you are reading) represent God's created humanity. The marriage feast speaks of the age to come. The closed door speaks of the last judgment. And the bridegroom is, of course, Christ. This story is an allegory about believers who are waiting for Christ to come again.
But what about the story's oil? What does it represent? Martin Luther would say that the oil represents faith. Others believe that the oil represents enduring love, spiritual piety or good works. Whatever the oil represents, it is something that is necessary for the preparedness one must have in order to go with the bridegroom. Having the oil makes you ready. And from the sound of it in the story, you cannot borrow someone elseÍs oil. You must have your own. It cannot be borrowed from another. You are responsible for it yourself.
So, the question for us is, what does it mean to be ready? How can we have what it takes to go with Jesus when He comes again? We find out much of the answer to our question when we look back at today's Old Testament reading from Joshua. Joshua calls the people of God to make a choice-a very important choice. It is one that will determine the rest of their lives. Joshua says, "Choose this day whom you will serve." Will they serve the Lord, or will they let themselves be lured away-yet again-to serve other gods. The people say that they want to serve the one true God of Israel, but their actions have said otherwise. Joshua is pretty hard on them, challenging their faith, demanding that they really think about what they are saying. If you're really serious about choosing God, about putting God first, then you must "put away foreign gods and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." The people that Joshua is leading are insistent, they will follow God. They are choosing God. And so, in the end, Joshua makes a covenant with them, and they are restored to a right relationship with their God.
Now, Joshua's people have a hard road ahead of them. They have wanted to follow God, but have not been able to in the past. But God and Joshua give them another chance. Another chance to choose how they will live their lives.
When I think of the people that Joshua is leading I remember a joke that my dad sent to me via email. It said that there are two kinds of people in this world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord!" And then there are those who say, "Good Lord, it's morning!" They believed in the Lord, but they weren"t living it. They could say the Lord's name, but they didn't choose to live their faith. They couldn't get up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord!"
When we awake in the morning, do we think of God and thank God for the breath that is in our body? Do we ask God how we can serve that day? That is living our faith. That is what Joshua is calling the people of Israel to do, and what Jesus is calling us to do. That is being ready. That is being prepared to meet Jesus when He comes again.
In the New Testament, we find the church in Thessalonica. They are a faithful people. Like the ten bridesmaids, they are waiting for the bridegroom to come. They are striving to live their faith, to wake up each morning and say, "Good morning, Lord! Thank you for my life and for this day! Tell me know I can serve you." They have made the choice to serve God, but they are having a hard time.
You see, they church at Thessalonica believed that Christ would come again very soon. But it had been a while. And many of those who had been living faithfully and waiting with them had already died. What would become of their souls? How could they live with Christ after death?
Paul consoles them, encouraging the Thessalonians in the faith, building them up with knowledge and confidence in Christ. He tells them that if you are in Christ in life, then you will be in Christ in death. In life and in death, Paul says, the Christian is in Christ. So, do not despair that Christ hasnÍt come again. Christ will come. You will live in Him, and all who have lived in Him in this world will live with Him in the next.
One of my favorite television shows is Inside the Actor's Studio on Bravo. Filmed at the famous Actor's Studio in New York City, the show interviews actors, directors and writers, questioning them about their craft. Those being interviewed share their experiences and philosophies on what they do and love. They answer questions from the students at the Actor's Studio. And, every once in a while, something that someone says will really stick with me. That happened with Paul Newman's interview.
In the course of questioning, someone asked Mr. Newman what it really took to make it as an actor. Is it talent? Is it being in the right place at the right time? What is the secret? Without missing a beat, Paul Newman said that it is tenacity that is the key. Stick with it. Have endurance. Be relentless in seeking out every opportunity. Be tough. Never give up. You might not become a star. But if you are prepared, do your job well and stick with it, you will be able to make a living as an actor. It's not about talent or big breaks„it's all about tenacity.
That is exactly what Paul (St. Paul-Not Paul Newman) is saying to the church at Thessalonica. He is telling the them that it isn't just about living their faith, about being in Christ. It's also about endurance. It's about sticking with it, about not giving up. You must wake up each day and live the Christian life. You do it over and over and over. Then you will be ready when Christ comes, whenever that is. It's all about tenacity.
What is the oil that we need to meet the bridegroom when He comes? How are we able to be ready? First, we choose to serve God and make God our priority. Then we live our choice, we reflect the covenant that we have made. And lastly, we stick with it, however long it takes. We have tenacity and endurance. May God grant us the grace to make the choice, the love to live out our covenant and the tenacity to stick with it as long as we live. Amen.
Peace,
Rev. Cynthia Bacon
Minister
You may email at:
cbacon@heritagemadison.org
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