Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Please prepare me for Jesus’ return each and every moment of my lives. Keep me ever focused on the reality of Your great love, mercy and salvation, that I may always be ready to share it and live it with others. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may remember Your word more effectively, and open doors for me to have the opportunity to tell others about You. Glorify yourself in my life right now, that others may see You in me and may also make preparations for Your coming. I ask all these things in the strong name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
God’s Word Today
Matthew 25:1-13 (Due to the size of the passage, we will focus on 25:1-13 Sunday-Tuesday; and 25:14-30 Wednesday-Saturday)
1“The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, 4but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept. 6At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!’
7“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘sir, open the door for us!’ 12But he called back, ‘I don’t know you!’
13“So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.
Reflecting on God's Word
What do you think it would be like to be “locked out” of God’s Kingdom?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What was the result of the bridegroom’s coming for each of the groups of bridesmaids? (25:10-12)
How does Jesus interpret the parable? (25:13)
Understanding God's Word
What does the bridegroom’s response to the foolish virgins tell us about Jesus’ response to those who are ready when He returns?
Why do you think that Jesus made such a big deal about people being prepared for His return?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What one thing will you do as a result of reading today’s Scripture?
Thoughts...Stay Awake! Be Prepared!
Jesus leaves us no doubt about what we must do if we want to join Him in heaven one day—Be ready! Jesus makes it clear that once we receive Him as Savior and Lord of our lives, the rest of our lives are to be devoted to a grateful response of living a life that brings glory to Him, and demonstrates the true nature of the transformation that He has brought into our lives. It isn’t enough to “get saved,” although Jesus made it clear throughout His ministry that salvation is a gift that only He can offer to the people of the world. Once we’re saved, we are called to live the life IN Jesus Christ. That means that we are to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in our lives. It means that we “get out of the way,” and let Jesus “call the shots.” As we go about this day, we have the opportunity to show the world that we are ready for Jesus’ return—not so that they will think highly of us—but so they will think of Jesus. After all, if we reflect the love, grace and forgiveness of Jesus in our lives through the Holy Spirit’s presence in us, everyone will know that God’s at work, because we can’t live that way in our own power!