God is our ‘good end’
by Kimberley Pfeiffer
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‘The bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut’ (Matthew 25:10).
Even though I am confident that I have been redeemed and given new life in Christ, lines such as this one still disturb me. It forces me to ask myself: am I wise or foolish in God’s sight? Will I be one of the ready ones on that day? Will I have oil in my lamp at that time? Will my Lord let me into the marriage feast? Might it be that my Lord says to me, ‘I do not know you’? That’s frightening.
It is good to be ready for important events that are coming up, whether it is setting aside money for the electricity bill near due or keeping to the study plan for next week’s exam. We know that preparation is the work we do to keep us gearing toward, and hoping for, a good end.
In this parable, the good end Jesus is talking about is the good end. It is heaven. And by this parable, we learn that preparedness is the key. Christ is talking to the church, his bride, those who are baptised believers. It is a warning to prepare well but also an encouragement to take seriously being ready for heaven. So, how do we remain ready?
For us, being ready means practising the faith that God has given us. He has already prepared everything; we only have to join in. Church is where God nurtures our faith and provides the oil and the tools to trim our lamps. We trim our lamp and keep it filled with oil as we receive and trust in his word and remain connected to God in prayer. Through absolution, we check the fit of our wedding garment that covers our brokenness. We even practise entering into heavenly joy at church, praising God and having a taste of the feast that is coming. As we receive God’s word, it gives us all the spiritual resources we need now while we wait – wisdom, encouragement, and confidence. These spiritual resources keep us ‘ready’ and sustain us.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for preparing our way to heaven through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Strengthen us, your church, by the Holy Spirit, to teach us your ways and receive your gifts so that we remain confident on the path that leads to your door. Amen.
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