December 9, 2014
Matthew 25:1-13
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
RESET
There are four things we must be clear on as relates to the return of Jesus and the end of the world as we know it.
1. Jesus will return to the Earth.
2. It will be a great celebration, akin to a wedding party.
3. No one but God knows when.
4. We do not need to be afraid.
5. We need to be prepared.
So here’s the assignment: Make a list of all the things you usually do to be prepared for a party.
So let’s say it’s a party to celebrate the return of Jesus. Would you add special preparations to your list?
Who would you want to invite? Make a list of everyone you want to be at the party.
Now what if I told you that the only way people can get into the party is if they know Jesus. Wouldn’t that make you want to introduce as many people as possible to Jesus? What if that is the only way to invite people to the party, to introduce them to Jesus?
How could you get started on that today? Who will you invite today? Tomorrow?
Here’s the best way to go about it. Start making your list. Then start talking (praying) to Jesus about everybody on your list. These may be the most important preparations we can make.
Hang on to that list. Don’t lose it. Tuck it into your Bible.
PEOPLE GET READY! JESUS IS COMING.
J.D. Walt writes daily for Seedbed’s Daily Text. He serves as Seedbed’s Sower in Chief. Follow him @jdwalt on Twitter or email him at jd.walt@seedbed.com.
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