God allows His followers to worship Him in so many ways! He blesses us with abilities that can be used for His glory. In our scripture readings today, we see the abilities of the embroiders, jewelers, songwriters, and those who serve and minister to others just to name a few. From skilled hands come the beautiful creations of articles that were used in the tabernacle (Ex. 27&28). Perhaps, some of the Israelites never imagined that they would have a part of creating a place where God would be worshipped. Maybe, someone just learned and developed an ability to dye and spin purple yarn. They were gifted with this talent, but they had no idea that this skill would be used for God. Yet, God did use this ability for the creation of the Tabernacle. How amazing to be creating a sanctuary for the LORD so He might dwell among them (Ex.25:8).
From Psalm 30, we are reminded that each of these Psalms or songs are lyrical praises that emerged from the creative minds of song writers (Ps. 30). As the Psalmist declared, “LORD my God, I will praise you forever.” Many of the Psalms’ lyrics we still sing today.
Lastly our scriptures from Matthew remind us that every believer should use our gifts to serve our brothers or sisters in need. Matthew 25:31-46 illustrates the amazing coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man in His glory with all the holy angels. He will finally be recognized as the King when he sits on the throne of His glory. He will then reward those who have served others. Jesus the King will say “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom.”
We see that God is honored when we use our abilities and gifts for Him.
-Rebecca Dauksas
Reflection & Application
Have you thought about your abilities? Perhaps you have giftedness in certain areas? Pray about opportunities to share your gifts and abilities with your friends, family and serving in your church.
Are you ready for the day? Do you have clean clothes to wear, you have your keys, phone and wallet, your homework is done, you have prepared for the meeting or test, and you remembered to brush your teeth before leaving the house. It’s a good feeling to be ready.
When was the last time you were caught unprepared? You scrambled to put together a clean (maybe matching) outfit because the dirty hamper was overflowing, the teacher gave a pop quiz, visitors found a messy house, you didn’t have the project complete when the boss wanted it, the bill wasn’t paid by the due date, and in the rush to get out the door you forgot to brush your teeth. It’s no fun not being ready.
In Matthew 25 today we read of the Parable of the Ten Virgins, or Bridesmaids, depending on which version you read. They are all anxiously waiting for the bridegroom’s arrival and they all have a lamp/torch/light with them as it is day now but they don’t know when he might come, so they (seem) prepared to wait even if it grows dark. And it does.
Jesus tells us five of the virgins (typically referring to purity) were wise and five (still, pure virgins) were foolish. And since they all had their lamps with them and were anxiously awaiting the bridegroom’s (Jesus’) arrival I feel it is safe to say that all ten would call themselves “Christians” or Jesus followers. The five foolish aren’t chasing after the world and doing immoral, evil things. They have their lights and are waiting, right along with the five wise. I think they are even sitting in the church pew and doing all the right things right along with the wise, all day long.
And then it grows dark. BOTH the wise and foolish get drowsy and even begin to sleep. BOTH are wakened with the great news, “The Bridegroom is coming!” But now we run into trouble. Well – half of them/us do.
Five of them didn’t bring oil to keep their lamps burning, their lights are going out, and they haven’t seen the bridegroom yet. They desperately demand to get some oil from the five wise who brought oil with them, but the wise know they don’t have enough oil for both their light and another light. In the final moments the foolish run off scrambling to go buy more oil. And it is in those final moments that the long anticipated arrival of the bridegroom takes place. He finds the five wise waiting with their lights burning bright and he ushers them into the wedding feast. The door is shut and the party begins.
In the previous chapter Jesus had just warned of the darkness that would proceed his second coming: increased wickedness, love of most growing cold, many deceived by false prophets and false christs, war, famine, earthquakes, and persecution. He warned that during that time of darkness many Jesus followers will fall away. They are the 5 foolish. They are the ones who won’t have enough fuel to keep their light burning through the darkness. They are the ones who will miss the party and be left out in the dark and will hear the Savior say, “I don’t know you.”
Each person needs to be prepared – and stay prepared – even in the final dark days/moments/hours. Just having a light in the daytime is not enough. Just walking with the wise, right crowd is not enough. It won’t work to get into the Kingdom with a spouse, parent, grandparent, pastor, or friend who is prepared. You need your own light – AND the oil to keep it burning bright all night long if needed.
Which half will you be a part of? Are you prepared? Are you ready? Do you have your light with you? That’s a good first step! But are you also prepared for the coming darkness that will indeed come before the Savior arrives? Do you have enough fuel to keep your light burning bright until you are ushered into the great wedding feast? Are your ready for the day? Are you ready for the night?
-Marcia Railton
Reflection Questions
First off, are you a Jesus follower, waiting for his return, prepared with a light?
Are you prepared to keep your light burning in the darkness?
What part of the darkness scares you most (wickedness, deception, natural disasters, famine, persecution)? How can you work on strengthening your stand now and preparing for the darkness so you won’t fall away in the darkness?
Jesus is Coming! What preparations do we need to make before Jesus comes? Climb a tree to get a good vantage point? Put his money to work? Spread your cloak on the road? These were all mentioned in Luke 19 as ways people prepared for Jesus’ coming.
The wealthy, though short, tax collector Zacchaeus was curious about this Jesus who was coming into town. Not wanting to miss out he climbed a tree to make sure he could see Jesus.
In the Parable of the Ten Minas, during the master’s absence most of the servants took what had been entrusted to them (a mina – about three months wages) and put it to work to earn more – and were rewarded for their work.
When the crowd heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem they gathered to pay him honor as they spread their cloaks in the road in front of the colt carrying Jesus. And with loud voices they joyfully praised God for the miracles they had witnessed Jesus perform: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest”. (Luke 19:38)
This greeting reminds me of the words spoken by the great company of the heavenly host about 33 years earlier when the angels were telling the shepherds of the birth of Christ. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14).
No doubt, today, Christmas Eve, many many preparations will be made – supposedly in preparation to celebrate the birth of a King. In the midst of our busyness how will we actually prepare for Jesus? What will we do and say and give and pray TODAY to celebrate his FIRST Coming in a way that will honor him? Perhaps there will be some things that we decide we will NOT do, in order to better celebrate Jesus’ coming.
And, EVERY day – how will we prepare for his SECOND coming?
Will we take the time and effort to seek out Jesus as Zacchaeus did? Will we joyfully accept his invitation to meet together and then find ourselves changed – repentant and obedient – because of the time we spend in his presence?
Will we take the talents, time, possessions and minas/money we have been given and diligently be trustworthy in using them to prepare for the coming return of our Savior – spreading the word, growing the church, and caring for the lost? Or will we be like the scared servant who just hid away the treasure that he was responsible for – and even what he had was taken from him?
Will we work at honoring Jesus, the Son of God who is indeed coming to be crowned king in a kingdom like no other. Will we give of ourselves, not afraid to get our clothes a little dirty, not ashamed to speak boldly, not persuaded to keep quiet by the Pharisees in our midst? For if we don’t speak – even the stones will tell of his greatness (Luke 19:40).
I pray we celebrate his first coming well while we wisely and diligently prepare for his even greater second coming!
Seek Grow Love 