You Were Invited to the Party
Click Here to Read the Texts (Amos 5:18–24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Matthew 25:1–13)
When the believers in Thessalonica were being wrongly taught about the Day of the Lord (the final day, the day when all of God’s judgements are finally made) there was a mess of misunderstandings. Some thought their loved who had died and not “endured to the end” would not see Jesus. Some thought that all they had to do was sit by the pool in their loungers with a glass of wine in their hand and look toward the sky waiting for Jesus. While others still were afraid they had missed the boat altogether.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians to this church as an encouragement that they have not missed out, that they will see their loved ones again, and also to let them know that they do not have to sit around and wait for something to happen but rather that they can rest in the fact the Jesus has them covered no matter what their concern or worry may be. He writes tell them that in life, in death, and on the last day they will always be with Jesus.
The tension over the last day, whether the end of our lives or the world, will always be there. We are always calling out for mercy and grace but also always in need of that last day when all wrongs are made right. By way of example we read from Amos 5.18-24 that desiring the day of the Lord can be a dangerous thing and yet in Psalm 70 David is crying out for help. He is begging God for that final day of vindication and safety.
In Amos God’s first people, the nation Israel wants judgement to fall upon the enemies of God and they cannot see that they themselves have become God’s enemies. Their hearts do not match the offerings they give. Their thought is that if they can just make God happy then he will protect them and leave them alone again.
David however has the confession that is necessary to match the sacrifices that God required. His confession is that he cannot save himself. Instead that God is his help and deliverer. He knows that he can have joy because God is great and he is the one that brings salvation.
Which brings us to our primary text of Matthew 25.1-13. This can be a perplexing story. There are young women, oil lamps, a bridegroom who shows up late for his own party, and a whole lot of mystery.
In order to teach about this parable that Jesus himself taught I think it could be helpful to retell the story with language that the story is pointing us toward. So here we go…
God’s forever kingdom is like a group of ten people who went to meet Jesus. Five of them were foolish because they had heard the Good News but thought it would be even better news on the last day. The other five were wise because they heard the Good News and held on to that good news by faith. Jesus did not come immediately and they all fell asleep. Then when they heard him coming all of the people got up to hear that Good News one more time, though the fools could no longer understand it. As the wise five were approaching Jesus’, because of his invitation to join him, the fools stopped them and asked if they would borrow some faith to them so that they could get in. But you cannot use the faith of another to receive the promise of Jesus. You have to understand that it is your promise too. When Jesus was closing the doors to the wedding feast, the marriage supper of the lamb, the fools said “look, look, we have what you need to get in. We have prepared ourselves.” And in response Jesus says, I do not know you. See, I give everything that people need to get in.
The final words are haunting, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour”. These words a dangerous when they are used as a weapon against God’s own people, marked by the faithfulness of Jesus. This story from Jesus does not demand that you get your own house in order and have all your good works laid out and ready to go. This story does not tell us that Jesus is going to say, “show me your fruit, show me that you are a good tree”. Jesus knows who belongs to him and who does not.
And those final words show us what this parable is pointing us to. Staying ready means being marked by the faith that is produced in us by God the Holy Spirit and his Word. Being ready does not mean that you are perfect and double checking it everyday. It means making sure you are everyday covered in the completed righteousness of Jesus.
It also means that one day that this option will not be available anymore. Those who are not known by Jesus will not have another chance. Jesus wants you to know him now. Now is soon enough. It does not matter what came before. Jesus came to save you and on the last day he will come in Glory and in Judgement.
The mystery of the timeline, the when’s and how’s of the Day of the Lord are of little importance. But the knowledge that by faith you are always with the Lord is of great importance. Both for you and your neighbour.
Now, this year, during COVID, during chaos…there is no better time than now to give your questioning neighbour the assurance they are so desperately looking for. Faith comes by hearing the Good News about Jesus.