What Jesus Did! 'Always Be Ready' — Matthew 25:1-13

Vigilance is not something we talk about very much. But freedom does require constant vigilance, no matter how clichéd the phrase may become. Faithfulness to Jesus also demands constant vigilance. Impatience, lack of passion, loss of faith, diminished focus on righteousness all eat away at our viability, effectiveness, and preparedness. We can grow cold and disinterested because we are caught up in the pursuits of this world. We can become calloused and indifferent because of trials and difficulties in this life. We can simply give up and quit because our burdens seem unbearable and our helper seems so distant. But he is coming. The wedding invitations have already been sent and the wedding supper for the lamb and his bride, the church, is set. We are simply waiting for the coming of the bridegroom, Jesus, and the great celebration will begin. Let's be ready. Let's be vigilant. Let's have our lamps full and our oil ready, that is, let's always be strong in faith and living for Jesus so that if he comes now, we're ready. But if he tarries, we will still be ready! In the stories on either side of this passage, Jesus is reminding his disciples — and Matthew is reminding his readers, including us — that we must always be ready for the Lord's return. While we don't know when it will be, we know it will be and it could be in the next moment. We need to keep our houses in order because at any moment, Jesus could accept our invitation to come, and we need to be ready to welcome him!