BE
PREPARED!
Many
of us were scouts as children. We all know the familiar mantra: “BE
PREPARED”. We all understood that to survive in the wilderness or
in any situation for that matter, one had to prepare and be ready to
face what was coming by making proper provisions today.
As
we look forward to the second coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we
also are taught in scripture concerning the importance of being
prepared. In Matthew
25:1ff our Lord presented
a teaching to help us know what kind of preparation is necessary. As
He often did, Jesus uses a common event to aid us in our
understanding.
A wedding was in progress. 10
virgins were waiting for the bride and her groom (symbolic of the
church and Christ) to return and call them to the wedding feast. The
women had lamps that were fueled by oil. Half were prepared with
enough to follow the parade of celebrants, and enter into the wedding
celebration. Half the women were not prepared and were excluded and
left in outer darkness. One group was watchful, obedient, and
faithful. The others were lethargic, neglectful and foolish.
The oil of our Christian life is the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that fuels our
lives and keeps us burning bright for Jesus. A wise child of God
will replenish what is needed, as we wait, every day. We all want to
enter into the wedding feast of the Lamb! Let’s be prepared!