Pentecost
26. Proper 27
9 November AD 2008
Matthew
25:1-13
When Pastor Doring in Stanhope took sick, I was asked to be on
standby for several wedding obligations, just in case Art couldn't
officiate. I didn't want it to appear as if I were pushing my
colleague out, so I waited to see if he might be up to the task.
In the mean time, I had to be prepared.
The chairman
of Our Savior gave me the names and phone numbers of the couples
to be married. And when I spoke with each one, there was such
a voice of relief. While all of them expressed concern for Pastor
Doring, they were probably more concerned about their wedding
day: Who was going to marry them? Will the wedding take place
at Our Savior? Will the preacher honor the agreements made with
Pr. Doring? Brides, more than grooms, are anxious about such things.
But I can assure you, if the bride ain't happy, her husband isn't
going to be happy.
If you ask
me, any wedding plans reaching forward more than one year are
at best tentative. Long range wedding plans usually leave the
couple feeling "thank God the day finally came; let's get
it over with." With any luck the bride and groom are still
speaking to each other. A good wedding takes place in six months.
That's just enough time to make the necessary arrangements, but
not enough time to over plan it, not enough time to drive your
relatives and friends crazy. And the best part, I find the bride
and her groom somewhat excited about the whole thing.
For half
a year, if not longer, the marriage contract has been in place.
Her hope chest is full; the bride's family has seen to it that
she has everything she needs to set up house with her new husband.
In the culture Jesus addressed the groom determined the date,
it may have had to do with the completion of the harvest and the
preparation of a house. In any case, she is waiting and more than
ready for her betrothed-a prince among men, to sweep her off her
feet.
The whole
village is waiting and talking. They want to see this wonderful
Groom about whom they have heard so much. He sounded too good
to be true. And even the men want to see who it is that comes
from so far for a somewhat average girl. In their gossip the women
wonder about her virtue. But it has also been reported that he
is madly in love with her, vowing to die for her if necessary.
So, if the stories are true, there is going to be celebration
such as they haven't seen in a very
long time.
The harvesting is finished and the day has been determined. All
the young girls are anxiously waiting for the groom and the young
men who will accompany him to the feast. It appears he'll arrive
in the evening, lamps are prepared and the wait-ing begins. For
some reason this Groom is delayed; the hours pass, and the guests
doze.
We don't
know the reason for his delay. Some of the people went home. Others,
old and faithful friends waited with the Bride and her family.
The gossips watch and speculate.
Finally,
at a very late hour, singing can be heard in the distance, and
then lights are seen. The Groom and his party are finally here,
looking forward to a celebration and the promised feast-they are
famished. Little by little lights come on through-out the village.
The bridesmaids yawn and stretch. They fix themselves and then
reach for their lamps-they will line the street leading to the
home where the party will take place. And from this point you
know the story; some of their lamps have gone out, leaving the
girls to borrow oil from their friends.
And while
some of the girls are off finding a merchant who will sell them
lamp oil, the Groom arrives and the parade continues to the festal
hall. He has come a long way, leaving behind his home and his
Father to take a wife. He too is exhausted and hungry and excited.
But the blessing is given and they are One; the Bride and Groom,
one in body, one in Spirit, one in purpose. He sweeps his beloved
off her feet and in they go. It's late, the outer doors are shut
and the feast begins.
One Lord,
one Faith, one in baptism, one holy "Church of the living
God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)
The Church, she is the bride, her Groom, our Savior and Lord Jesus
Christ. He offered his life for her on the cross, betrothing her,
cleansing her, making her spotless and pure with his most holy
and precious blood. He must tend his Father's business, when he
returns the great feast will commence.
Some you
may be wondering, "is this a parable about the end times?"
Surely it is. But more than being about the end of all things,
it's about you. The wise are they who are prepared. Jesus' tale
asks, "Are you ready for the feast?" Will his coming
take you by surprise? How ready are you?
Preparedness.
Every so often we need to ask the question, "are we ready?"
And if
not, why?
When we think
of the end times we tend to think judgment day. But here the main
thrust is on the happy occasion of a wedding banquet, to which
all look forward with anticipation. "Judgment Day" brings
with it thoughts of the end, finality, and even punishment. The
disciples of Lord prefer to think of it as the marriage feast
of the Lamb-a feast without end. What the world fears is for us
our hope and joy.
So be like
the wise. Prepare and wait with anticipation. And if I get drowsy
and nod off, give me a poke.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Hamburg, NJ 07419
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