Here Comes the Bridegroom!

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Matthew 25:13

“I like it when it storms because we get to eat ice cream!” a neighbor child told my daughter. That is a little odd, I thought at the time.

Now I get it. The electricity regularly goes out in our neighborhood when the winds howl and the rains beat down. Hours click by with no power. So, we might as well eat the ice cream before it melts.

Last night the electricity was off once again. As darkness fell, I lit several candles. I have learned to keep plenty on hand for such occasions.

The next day, my neighbor told me she used oil lamps which provide much better lighting. I have one, I thought. A relative had passed it down to me. I only use it for decoration. All the parts are in working order, but I have no wick or oil.

This reminded me of a parable Jesus told in Matthew 25 about five women who didn’t have oil for their lamps. They took their lamps but no oil as they waited for the groom, who represents Jesus in the story. Their eyes grew heavy and they fell asleep.

Shouts of joy woke them. Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him (Matthew 25:6). The light of their lamps diminished as the last of the oil was burned. While the unprepared women went back to get more oil, the bridegroom arrived and invited those who were prepared to the wedding feast. By the time the ladies returned, the doors were closed and they could no longer enter.

This parable speaks of Jesus returning to take believers to heaven with Him. The only way we can have an unending supply of oil in our lamps is by accepting Jesus’ free gift of life though forgiveness of sins. Jesus has invited you to the wedding feast. Will you be ready?

Jesus, thank you for dying for us. Forgive us our sins and be Lord of our lives.

Terri