Readiness

 Luke 12:40 ESV 

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

 

We need to be ready for Jesus like 1st Century Jewish men awaiting their friend the bridegroom. In Western weddings today, the bride tends to be fashionably late. In Eastern weddings then, the bridegroom often didn't turn up until nighttime.

It would be very inappropriate to be sleeping when the bridegroom arrives. Our purpose as his friends is to be watchful and to wait for him. So it is with the return of Christ.

I heard a good observation on the wise and foolish bridesmaids parable of Jesus. Even the wise bridesmaids fell asleep as they awaited the bridegroom. Yet at least they were prepared to brighten up his way with oil filled lamps when he arrived.

Oil filled lamps symbolise lives filled with the Holy Spirit. A famous preacher was once asked if he was filled with the Holy Spirit. 'I am,' he replied, 'but I leak,' implying that we keep needing to be 'topped up' with the Holy Spirit.

'Almighty Lord, may we be ready for the great day of your return. May we give you the welcome you deserve, for your glory we ask this, amen'.

  



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