Matthew 25:10-12
"But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! open the door for us! But He called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!"
This Parable has always intrigued me and makes me want to continue to grow and seek Him. These 5 were not just invited to the wedding, they were bridesmaids. They were important enough to be asked to serve in the wedding and still they couldn't let go of themselves and be ready for the celebration. It's not about being a church goer or using the word "Christian" it's about a relationship with the Lord that shows our love and our belief. We can say we believe enough to serve and be used but it doesn't mean we have accepted God's free gift and are ready for His return. Just because we say something doesn't always mean we believe what we are saying, we must surrender and know the Lord personally.
When we do this our heart is transformed by God and we desire the things that keep us focused. The other 5 bridesmaids, it says in verse 4 "...were wise enough to take along extra oil." They didn't want to miss out on something, they were looking forward to it and their hearts were changed by their desire to be with the bridegroom. When we let go and we open our hearts we grow and when we grow we change into His image. This is why we have His word to read and meditate on daily. It is our extra oil for our lamps. When we open it and ask we will find and when we find our hearts will grow to understand.
I love what Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 3 verses 16-19 which says, "I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." That is what the wise bridesmaids wanted and nothing was going to hold them back. We need to experience the love of Christ by reading His word, when we do that our hearts become open to love like He does and we will be made complete with God's power. I say open up, read, pray, and worship the Lord because God loved us so much He sent His Son for us. We can't be lazy or comfortable, we need to continue to grow and when we think we've grown enough, we push on to grow even more. Amen
"But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! open the door for us! But He called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!"
This Parable has always intrigued me and makes me want to continue to grow and seek Him. These 5 were not just invited to the wedding, they were bridesmaids. They were important enough to be asked to serve in the wedding and still they couldn't let go of themselves and be ready for the celebration. It's not about being a church goer or using the word "Christian" it's about a relationship with the Lord that shows our love and our belief. We can say we believe enough to serve and be used but it doesn't mean we have accepted God's free gift and are ready for His return. Just because we say something doesn't always mean we believe what we are saying, we must surrender and know the Lord personally.
When we do this our heart is transformed by God and we desire the things that keep us focused. The other 5 bridesmaids, it says in verse 4 "...were wise enough to take along extra oil." They didn't want to miss out on something, they were looking forward to it and their hearts were changed by their desire to be with the bridegroom. When we let go and we open our hearts we grow and when we grow we change into His image. This is why we have His word to read and meditate on daily. It is our extra oil for our lamps. When we open it and ask we will find and when we find our hearts will grow to understand.
I love what Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 3 verses 16-19 which says, "I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." That is what the wise bridesmaids wanted and nothing was going to hold them back. We need to experience the love of Christ by reading His word, when we do that our hearts become open to love like He does and we will be made complete with God's power. I say open up, read, pray, and worship the Lord because God loved us so much He sent His Son for us. We can't be lazy or comfortable, we need to continue to grow and when we think we've grown enough, we push on to grow even more. Amen
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