Last Sunday of the Church Year November 21, 2021
Matthew 25:1-13
It’s the end of the world...and I feel fine!
v.10-13 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But He answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Dear friends in Christ, the popular 80s and 90s band, R.E.M. had a hit song in 1987 called, “It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine).” Now, in our text for this morning Jesus is also talking about the end of the world—how does that make you feel? Nervous? Scared? Terrified? Or, perhaps, you’ve never really given it much thought—it’s no big deal. Besides, it’s never going to happen in your lifetime right? Jesus has waited this long—surely you'll be dead and gone before He comes back.
Sadly, all too many people—even Christians—think this way. And yet Jesus here in this parable is giving His people a warning—be ready—be prepared—for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will return in glory to Judge the world—the living and the dead. Now I know that there are some nutty people out there who think that they have unraveled the mystery of Christ’s return and often put people into a panic when they publicize their predictions.
However, all of these “certain predictions/prophecies” fly in the face of Jesus’ own Words. He tells us Himself that no one knows the day nor the hour—not the angels in heaven—not even the Son Himself—but only the Father. What Jesus does tell us in our text, however, is to watch! Be ready! Be prepared! Which, of course, is easier said than done.
Let’s be honest. We all get carried away with things—lose our focus—especially at this time of year leading up to Christmas. Unfortunately, we tend to want to completely bypass Advent (a season that specifically prepares us for the coming of Jesus) and go straight to Christmas. It’s difficult to keep one’s focus for very long. Most peoples’ attention spans don’t last 2 minutes, it seems, much less 2000 years! We grow bored and weary of waiting. Our minds wander and we begin to think that Jesus is never going to return.
Yet the arrival of our Lord, the bridegroom, will be sudden and unexpected. Therefore, we are to be watchful and ready like the 5 wise virgins. In speaking of His coming on the Last Day, Jesus likens it to a wedding feast, which He often does. This is what it will be like...THEN, Jesus says. And He speaks of the bridal party – 10 virgins – who are waiting for the bridegroom to come.
You see, back in Jesus’ day weddings were far different than they are now. After attending to the bride for most of the day, the attendants (the virgins) would then proceed to the edge of town to be on the lookout for the groom. So, unlike today where everything revolves around the bride, back then it was the groom who called all the shots – the wedding celebration couldn’t start until he arrived.
Usually, this would have been around 6 in the evening. So, the virgins would take out their little hand held oil lamps in order to light the way. These lamps didn’t hold much oil, but that was OK because the groom would be there shortly after dark and they would all proceed to the bride’s house to pick her up and then all go to the feast.
And please note here that all the virgins—all 10—are invited—both wise and foolish—they all have a place at the wedding banquet—they all have a spot with their name engraved on it—they’re all wearing the same dresses and shoes. All their lamps are lit—everything is ready. Unfortunately, the groom is delayed. 6 o’clock rolls around and he is nowhere in sight...7 o’clock—still waiting...by 8 o’clock they are all dead on their feet (having been up since before dawn)...and by 9 o’clock they are all fast asleep.
Then it happens! Out of the blue the cry goes up that the bridegroom approaches at long last! What time is it? It’s midnight! The most unreasonable time for a wedding to take place—but, nevertheless He comes. That’s when the virgins discover to their horror that their lamps have been burning all night and their oil has run out. Now the wise brought out their extra oil (which they carried along even though it seemed rather foolish to do so—why would they ever need so much oil?) and their lamps are fine. The foolish virgins, however, are out of luck—no oil left—and where might they buy some at this time of night? They quickly hurry off to find some more, but once they return the groom has already come and gone and the door to the wedding hall is shut tight. They knock and pound on the door furiously shouting to be let in—after all, they were in the wedding party! They have invitations and a place reserved inside. But from the other side of the door, the groom replies to their pleas to open with the terribly sad words, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.”
Watch. Be prepared. Wise. Foolish. How are we to make sense of all this? First of all, it is important to remember that Jesus says this is what the kingdom of heaven will be like...Then... not now. This is a picture of the future judgement. Secondly, throughout Scripture wise and foolish are often used to describe believers and unbelievers. Indeed, Psalm 111:10 simply says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” And Psalm 14:1 declares, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
Now the lamps dear friends are the Word of Christ Himself. The oil in the lamps is the Holy Spirit, who works through the Word to create and sustain the flame of faith in Jesus. It is He who sparks and feeds and fans to life the flame of faith that we have in Jesus. And He has done this through the Word—in baptism, preaching, and the Holy supper. The foolish, beloved, are those who do not give proper attention to the working of the Holy Spirit in the means of grace—forsaking church—getting carried away and distracted by the things of this life—they nod off and fall asleep—their faith flickers and dies.
These are the ones who always think that they will have more time—another opportunity—“I’ll go to church next Sunday...next week...maybe at Christmas...maybe next year.” And so it goes. All the while the flame of their faith is starved of the fuel it needs to burn brightly—the Word of Christ in preaching and Sacraments—until the point that it dies. These will be the ones left outside of the kingdom on Judgement Day—left in the darkness—denied the presence of God in the Light that is Christ Jesus. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth—bitterness and anger. For they will truly think that they deserve a place within—by their own goodness—their own works and deeds. Having forsaken the work of Christ given to His people through His church—they seek entry on their own—all to no avail. They pound furiously upon the gates of heaven, but only receive the sad, tragic words from the Lord, "Truly, I say to you, I do not know you."
For the wise are those who place their trust in Jesus Christ alone. Those, who by the working of the Holy Spirit—have been fed and nurtured—strengthened in the faith by the very means of grace that God has instituted for the purpose of saving sinners and ushering them into His kingdom of life and light. The wise have humbly received the gifts of the Spirit—and trust in them—trust in Him to provide—and so they have an abundance of oil. The flame of faith endures until the end because it is continually fanned and fed by the forgiveness of sins—the very righteousness of Jesus Christ Himself.
Beloved, it is the Word of Christ that declares a person free from guilt and sin—free from worry about the Last Day. For we have been given a lively faith by the Holy Spirit who has given us our Saviour Jesus. He has washed us in the blood of Jesus when in Baptism He sealed His name upon us through water and the Word. Each week we gather to hear His saving Gospel proclaimed into our ears that the spark of faith might grow and burn ever more brightly—as we are led to trust in Jesus in all things—He who suffered and died and rose again for sinful people like you and me. And Christ actually nourishes our faith with His Word in bread and wine—that His own flesh and blood might strengthen our faith all the days of our lives—right up until the very Last Day—when either we are called to be with Him in heaven—or He returns in power and might to Judge the Living and the Dead.
The evangelist Luke records that at that hour we are to “raise our heads—for our redemption is drawing near.” We, as Christians who have been blessed by God in His Word and Sacrament—received the sure and certain forgiveness of all our sins—approach the Last Day with confidence and joy. So that we can say, “It’s the end of the world as we know it...and I feel fine!” Because Jesus is here for me. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Matthew 25:1-13
It’s the end of the world...and I feel fine!
v.10-13 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But He answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Dear friends in Christ, the popular 80s and 90s band, R.E.M. had a hit song in 1987 called, “It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine).” Now, in our text for this morning Jesus is also talking about the end of the world—how does that make you feel? Nervous? Scared? Terrified? Or, perhaps, you’ve never really given it much thought—it’s no big deal. Besides, it’s never going to happen in your lifetime right? Jesus has waited this long—surely you'll be dead and gone before He comes back.
Sadly, all too many people—even Christians—think this way. And yet Jesus here in this parable is giving His people a warning—be ready—be prepared—for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will return in glory to Judge the world—the living and the dead. Now I know that there are some nutty people out there who think that they have unraveled the mystery of Christ’s return and often put people into a panic when they publicize their predictions.
However, all of these “certain predictions/prophecies” fly in the face of Jesus’ own Words. He tells us Himself that no one knows the day nor the hour—not the angels in heaven—not even the Son Himself—but only the Father. What Jesus does tell us in our text, however, is to watch! Be ready! Be prepared! Which, of course, is easier said than done.
Let’s be honest. We all get carried away with things—lose our focus—especially at this time of year leading up to Christmas. Unfortunately, we tend to want to completely bypass Advent (a season that specifically prepares us for the coming of Jesus) and go straight to Christmas. It’s difficult to keep one’s focus for very long. Most peoples’ attention spans don’t last 2 minutes, it seems, much less 2000 years! We grow bored and weary of waiting. Our minds wander and we begin to think that Jesus is never going to return.
Yet the arrival of our Lord, the bridegroom, will be sudden and unexpected. Therefore, we are to be watchful and ready like the 5 wise virgins. In speaking of His coming on the Last Day, Jesus likens it to a wedding feast, which He often does. This is what it will be like...THEN, Jesus says. And He speaks of the bridal party – 10 virgins – who are waiting for the bridegroom to come.
You see, back in Jesus’ day weddings were far different than they are now. After attending to the bride for most of the day, the attendants (the virgins) would then proceed to the edge of town to be on the lookout for the groom. So, unlike today where everything revolves around the bride, back then it was the groom who called all the shots – the wedding celebration couldn’t start until he arrived.
Usually, this would have been around 6 in the evening. So, the virgins would take out their little hand held oil lamps in order to light the way. These lamps didn’t hold much oil, but that was OK because the groom would be there shortly after dark and they would all proceed to the bride’s house to pick her up and then all go to the feast.
And please note here that all the virgins—all 10—are invited—both wise and foolish—they all have a place at the wedding banquet—they all have a spot with their name engraved on it—they’re all wearing the same dresses and shoes. All their lamps are lit—everything is ready. Unfortunately, the groom is delayed. 6 o’clock rolls around and he is nowhere in sight...7 o’clock—still waiting...by 8 o’clock they are all dead on their feet (having been up since before dawn)...and by 9 o’clock they are all fast asleep.
Then it happens! Out of the blue the cry goes up that the bridegroom approaches at long last! What time is it? It’s midnight! The most unreasonable time for a wedding to take place—but, nevertheless He comes. That’s when the virgins discover to their horror that their lamps have been burning all night and their oil has run out. Now the wise brought out their extra oil (which they carried along even though it seemed rather foolish to do so—why would they ever need so much oil?) and their lamps are fine. The foolish virgins, however, are out of luck—no oil left—and where might they buy some at this time of night? They quickly hurry off to find some more, but once they return the groom has already come and gone and the door to the wedding hall is shut tight. They knock and pound on the door furiously shouting to be let in—after all, they were in the wedding party! They have invitations and a place reserved inside. But from the other side of the door, the groom replies to their pleas to open with the terribly sad words, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.”
Watch. Be prepared. Wise. Foolish. How are we to make sense of all this? First of all, it is important to remember that Jesus says this is what the kingdom of heaven will be like...Then... not now. This is a picture of the future judgement. Secondly, throughout Scripture wise and foolish are often used to describe believers and unbelievers. Indeed, Psalm 111:10 simply says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” And Psalm 14:1 declares, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
Now the lamps dear friends are the Word of Christ Himself. The oil in the lamps is the Holy Spirit, who works through the Word to create and sustain the flame of faith in Jesus. It is He who sparks and feeds and fans to life the flame of faith that we have in Jesus. And He has done this through the Word—in baptism, preaching, and the Holy supper. The foolish, beloved, are those who do not give proper attention to the working of the Holy Spirit in the means of grace—forsaking church—getting carried away and distracted by the things of this life—they nod off and fall asleep—their faith flickers and dies.
These are the ones who always think that they will have more time—another opportunity—“I’ll go to church next Sunday...next week...maybe at Christmas...maybe next year.” And so it goes. All the while the flame of their faith is starved of the fuel it needs to burn brightly—the Word of Christ in preaching and Sacraments—until the point that it dies. These will be the ones left outside of the kingdom on Judgement Day—left in the darkness—denied the presence of God in the Light that is Christ Jesus. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth—bitterness and anger. For they will truly think that they deserve a place within—by their own goodness—their own works and deeds. Having forsaken the work of Christ given to His people through His church—they seek entry on their own—all to no avail. They pound furiously upon the gates of heaven, but only receive the sad, tragic words from the Lord, "Truly, I say to you, I do not know you."
For the wise are those who place their trust in Jesus Christ alone. Those, who by the working of the Holy Spirit—have been fed and nurtured—strengthened in the faith by the very means of grace that God has instituted for the purpose of saving sinners and ushering them into His kingdom of life and light. The wise have humbly received the gifts of the Spirit—and trust in them—trust in Him to provide—and so they have an abundance of oil. The flame of faith endures until the end because it is continually fanned and fed by the forgiveness of sins—the very righteousness of Jesus Christ Himself.
Beloved, it is the Word of Christ that declares a person free from guilt and sin—free from worry about the Last Day. For we have been given a lively faith by the Holy Spirit who has given us our Saviour Jesus. He has washed us in the blood of Jesus when in Baptism He sealed His name upon us through water and the Word. Each week we gather to hear His saving Gospel proclaimed into our ears that the spark of faith might grow and burn ever more brightly—as we are led to trust in Jesus in all things—He who suffered and died and rose again for sinful people like you and me. And Christ actually nourishes our faith with His Word in bread and wine—that His own flesh and blood might strengthen our faith all the days of our lives—right up until the very Last Day—when either we are called to be with Him in heaven—or He returns in power and might to Judge the Living and the Dead.
The evangelist Luke records that at that hour we are to “raise our heads—for our redemption is drawing near.” We, as Christians who have been blessed by God in His Word and Sacrament—received the sure and certain forgiveness of all our sins—approach the Last Day with confidence and joy. So that we can say, “It’s the end of the world as we know it...and I feel fine!” Because Jesus is here for me. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.