Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, let us hear Your Word and live by it. Amen.
Text: Matthew 25:1-13
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
Devotion
What use is it to be called a believer if we really aren’t? Or what does it help if we were living once, if we do not continue to the end? What is the use of having lamps if we do not have oil in our vessels? External works that make us look like true believers, so that we can blend in among them and consider ourselves believers and be regarded as such by others – that sort of godliness that is not true spiritual life in the heart bitterly disappoints in the end. The oil in the vessel is the Spirit and life in the heart, the true life of faith and love. From there the true light goes forth in work and in deed. Watch yourselves that your “fear” of God is not an empty lamp! Do you really have the true life of grace in your soul? Is it from there that your God-fearing works come? Do you live in the Lord, and is His love in you? Does your heart beat for Him so that, when the cry is heard that the Bridegroom has come, you will hurry to meet Him with longing and joy? Is this what your inmost heart says: “Lord Jesus, come quickly! You I am waiting for, to You belongs my whole heart in life and death, You are my only One now and forever!”? The sleep-inducing atmosphere affected even the wise virgins and they slumber. But the difference is that when someone wakes them, their heart is still with Jesus. He is their life, and His love is really the spirit in all they do.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, we pray You sincerely, let us be among the wise virgins. Let us never sleep in that death. Make us healthy and true in faith. Fill us with Your love, let it burn in our heart and shine in our life unto the end. Amen.
Hymn
Come, ye Christians, storms defying,
Courage take from God above,
While on Him alone relying,
One in faith, in hope, in love.
Keep ye Jesus ever near
And His holy name revere.
Help the weak and erring brother,
And in love serve one another.
It is time that we be starting,
Death is swiftly drawing nigh;
Time, that we should be departing
For a place with Christ on high.
Take His cross and start today,
For we dare not risk delay;
Come while time to thee is given;
Who will join the throng to heaven?
Brorson: Who will join the throng to heaven L 461:7.10 HCH 174:4-5 tr. P. C. Paulsen;
tune: Hvo vil med (HCH 174); alternate hymn: Rise, my soul ELH 253:1