Tag: 10 Virgins

Precious Time

Leviticus 16-17

Psalm 11

Matthew 25

Devotion by Maria Knowlton (IN)

Not to be one to copy someone else’s work, but like yesterday’s writer, today is  MY BIRTHDAY!!! Really!!! And as I’m writing this, it’s the 44th anniversary of my baptism into the Family of God (of which I’m so glad to be a part)! 

As I was reading our OT, Psalms, and NT passages, I was wondering how I could tie them together. Nothing really obvious jumped out at me. However, as I’m getting older, the time I have in this lifetime seems more precious as I increasingly understand its brevity.  I then re-read the passages with that thought in mind and time was just as precious to those way back then.. and what a sacrifice that was and is to give to God. 

In Leviticus 16, we find all the rules Aaron was to follow for making sacrifices and cleaning up after those sacrifices. I can’t imagine the time it took for Aaron and the priest to do so much cleaning. These sacrifices and cleaning were for Aaron and his family’s sanctification, but still… with no running water or Mr. Clean Erasers, that could not have been easy. It was a true sacrifice of time. 

In Matthew 25, we read of some women who did not use their time wisely. We aren’t told what they were doing that kept them from preparing for the party. We just know they did not have what they needed when the bridegroom came to get them. 

We are also strongly encouraged in this chapter to spend our time caring for those in need. I’d say that’s a pretty good way to give God our time! 

In Psalms 11… it might be a bit of a stretch to say it’s about the use of our time, but it does say the Lord is watching what we do, so in a sense, what we do with our time. 

No matter what we do with our time, it’s wise to always remember Colossians 3:23-24. 

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Reflection Questions:

  1. How have you used your time this past week? What did you do that was a good use of your time? Is there anything that you neglected to take care (such as packing your oil)?
  2. How do we make the best use of the gifts God has given so we are prepared both to do the jobs He wants us to do (even the hard, dirty ones) and for the bridegroom’s arrival?
  3. What can you do this week that will be a sacrifice of the time God has given to you?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I praise You for being my Creator, sustainer, provider, and shield and strength! I thank You for the gifts of life and time and the opportunity to be a part of Your Family. I confess the times and ways I neglect to do the most important jobs You have given, and instead are wasteful with the minutes and resources You have gifted to me. Help me do what You want me to do, with a heart of love and joy, and all for Your glory. In Your Returning Son’s Name, Amen

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Test Yourself!

Matthew 25

Today as we look at Matthew 25 we should take notice that though we are starting a new chapter the context surrounding this chapter is the same as that of chapter 24. Matthew 24 and 25 are a single unit of thought. This can be seen in verse 1 with the word “then” (the NIV says “at that time”) indicating what Jesus was speaking about in chapter 24 is continuing into chapter 25. The focus of the chapter is about the end of this age when Jesus returns and the judgement that he will enact. 

There are three pictures of judgement in chapter 25. The first two are parables (the parable of the ten virgins and the parable of the talents) and the last one is a description of the judgement scene. 

In the first parable there are ten virgins who wait for the bridegroom. The bridegroom delays in appearing and all fall asleep but suddenly the bridegroom appears but only five are ready for the bridegroom while the other five are not ready and they are denied entrance into the wedding feast. The virgins denied entrance are then told by the bridegroom he never knew them. 

The second parable is about a master and his slaves. The master gives each slave a talent (an amount of money) and went on a journey. When the master returns only two of the three slaves honored the master with what they were given. The third slave squandered his talent and is rebuked by the master and the slave is thrown out into the outer darkness.

The third picture of judgement involves Jesus separating goats from sheep among the nations. The sheep and goats represent those who belong to Jesus and those who do not. The sheep (believers) are rewarded with the kingdom and the goats (non-believers) are cast into hell with satan and his demons. 

What are we to make of this chapter? What does Jesus want us to learn from these three pictures of judgement? I believe it is this.

There is a judgement coming and not everyone who calls themself a Christian will enter into life. The reality is, not everyone who calls themself a Christian is a true believer. In all three teachings there is one group of people who are then divided into those who are accepted and those who are rejected. Many people comprise the Church but not everyone who attends church is a true believer. The judgement of Christ sorts out the self-deceived from the real believers. Jesus himself teaches this earlier in Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43 in the parable of the tares. And he also teaches this in Matthew 7.21-22. 

Who are you? Are you deceived or a true believer in Christ? The five virgins were accepted into the feast because they were ready and prepared. The 2 slaves were honored by the master because they were faithful with what the master had given them. And the sheep entered the kingdom because they loved and served other Christians in need. 

A true believer will have evidence of salvation in their life. A true believer bears the fruit of the spirit, they grow in holiness, they grow in their disdain for sin, they hunger for the scriptures, they serve other Christians and people. A real believer matures and grows in Christ.

Paul tells the Corinthians in II Cor. 13.5 to test themselves against the scriptures to see if they are in the faith. Compare yourself to scripture and to the words of Jesus. Have you really received salvation from God? In addition to this, talk with mature believers closest to you about this serious matter if you question your salvation.

-Jacob Rohrer

Today’s Bible passage can be read or listened to at BibleGateway here – Matthew 25

Tomorrow we will read Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

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