LENT 2016 – GOING TO JERUSALEM

Monday, March 7

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids: Matthew 25: 1 - 13

            My wife, Susan, will tell you that I am obsessive about how much gas there is left in the car – especially on our trips down East. Once the needle on the fuel gauge gets barely below half-full, (which to me means half-empty) I start looking for the next gas-station. We have been to Nova Scotia enough that I now know where all the stations are and therefore I have mentally calculated the distances between fill-ups that bring me peace of mind.

It used to be once you hit New Brunswick, we would need to fill up at Edmundson in order to make to Woodstock or Fredericton. Now there are all sorts of new gas-stations along that way, so it less of a concern. Nevertheless, I have never run out of gas, and I don’t intend to start now.

            Do some of you remember the days when there were no gas stations open on a Sunday? I do. One had to make sure that you filled up on Saturday if you had any plans for s Sunday drive.

            It seems a little awkward and unfeeling that the five bridesmaids who had oil for their lamps wouldn’t share with the five that didn’t bring any extra oil with them. Aren’t we Christians told to share and help one another? It would be like standing beside your car on the side of the road with an empty gas can in one hand and your thumb out on the other hand and see your pastor drive by and wave at you as he sped past.

            But this is not the parable of the Good Samaritan; it is the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. The emphasis is altogether different.

 

            Some of them knew it might be quite a while before the Groom showed up. (Once, I had a bride who was over an hour late for her wedding! Even then she had forgotten something and wanted to go back and get it! Not on my watch!) So they brought a sandwich, a juice box and some extra oil for their lamps.

            The other five were running late as they left the house and forgot to bring extra oil. So when they heard that the Groom was on his way, they didn’t have enough lamp oil and had to run out to the nearest Mac’s Milk to get more. The Party started without them. Don’t get too over analytical or critical about the fact that the Groom wouldn’t let them in to the Party at all. See what happens when you aren’t prepared? You are on the side of the road.

            Previously, Jesus has been imploring his followers to be watchful, to be ready, not to get caught unawares, and to be found at work, doing something useful for when the time comes that the Son of Man comes and wants to make the most out of the Future. This Future is going to be something one doesn’t want to miss; so make sure your lamps are trim; you have enough oil and check your invitations.

            Take an inventory of your life. What do you need to do to move into God’s Future? What have you been neglecting lately? Are you running low on spiritual energy? Why? Are you relying on others to bail you out when you should be taking more care to get yourself up and ready for whatever God has in store for you? Are you on the inside or on the outside of God’s inclusive Love and welcoming Grace?

            I have travelled with a few drivers who find it a challenge to go as far as they can with the fuel gauge almost on E for empty. They take great delight in saying, “We will make it to the next station.”  And then they will still pass two or three stations before they finally give in. No thanks. Not my style. Once of those times, they won’t make it.

            “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the time nor the hour,” (v.13).