Judgment of the nations
Key Verses: 3, 9, 13, 15, 21, 30, 32, 40,
Sometimes we miss the obvious message of a passage of Scripture. Be ready! Oil lamps require oil. Take some extra oil. All the girls fell asleep waiting for the groom’s envoy to arrive. The wise ones took some extra oil. Not a big task, but it required a little planning. Those who didn’t plan ahead were excluded, so it is important to be ready. Just a little planning goes a long way.
What do we need to be spiritually ready for Christ’s return? I think we need to make sure we don’t run too low on our reserves. We need to keep in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship. We need to keep ourselves full. We need to be careful to not run on empty, take on too much, be too busy. This is really hard in a world designed on busy, never leaving us any room for contemplation and reflection.
We are not all equal. Some have more abilities than others. We cannot measure our success or failure based on what others are doing. We are responsible to be faithful with what we are given. If we are faithful, then our reward will come. We must use what we are given for His Kingdom. We can’t let our fear get in the way, because it is not based on what is true but on a lie.
We again read the words about weeping and gnashing of teeth. These words are emblematic of the Final Judgment. There is a place and time of judgment when those who have rejected grace will be punished. They will not be in God’s redemptive presence. Some will get a reward, and some will get punishment.
Those who get rewards did the simplest of things. They treated others with the kindness they had received. They were aware of someone other than themselves. They saw the need and they met it. They were not so filled with pride that they ignored the plight of the less fortunate. They did not do big heroic acts. They met the most basic needs of someone else.
When we recognize God’s grace poured into our lives we act with grace toward others. We faithfully use our gifts and talents for the other’s benefit. We don’t consume all our resources. Instead, we seek out ways to meet the simple needs of those at the bottom. And we do it in a manner that reflects the love and care of Christ. We don’t just send our money, we send ourselves.
The Arnold Journey 