As In a Mirror

In reading Matthew 24-25 recently, as well as the current theme of “The End of the Age” at Yeah Right, and just thinking about Jesus’ coming in general, I have been thinking a lot about Christians being very very active, shining as lights, to get as many people to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as possible. Is this happening?

I have not been able recently to write any Word for Wednesdays (sorry folks!), but hopefully this will make up for it. Yeah, you know what I’m getting at.

Really, I have just been thinking a whole lot about all of chapters 24-25, but what I will concentrate on for now is chapter 25 verses 1-13.

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

The fact here is, the bridegroom was delayed! Also, all the virgins, wise and foolish, slumbered and slept! Half of the virgins had oil for their lamps; the other half did not. Half had the resources to shine, the other half did not. Yet, they all slumbered and slept! Jesus says, “Watch, for you do not know when your Lord is coming!”

Are we slumbering and sleeping while we are supposed to watch for the bridegroom? Are we burying our talent in the ground? Are we kicking off while the master is away? Are we ignoring the least of these? We must be careful of false christs; but what are we to do instead? I find it quite interesting that earlier in this same discourse, in chapter 24 verse 14, He says,

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Jesus ascended into heaven only after giving His disciples these instructions:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Notice He never did tell them when to stop!

We have been given “the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

While waiting for the Coming Christ, we are to not become distracted with the things of this world, not to become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, but what we are to do is spread the word! Are we imploring men, “Be reconciled to God!” The word translated “implore” is to beg; a derivative of the word bind. That is, to plead as one pleads for his life. Are we pleading men for their own lives? I heard from an interview with Mark Cahill that studies show only 2% of Christians share their faith regularly. Are you going to be part of that 2%? Are enough of us going to do that so that we bump that 2% up some? We are not just “getting converts” like the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Muslims or the Catholics or any of those guys; we are pleading with men to be reconciled to God! We are letting men know how they can live forever!

We are not just waiting for when the train comes to take us home; we are gathering as many people to come along with us as will come! Their ticket has been paid for; all they have to do is trust they must go on this train, stop what they were doing to watch for the train and gather more people, and be willing to wait for it! Maybe it will rain some, scoffers will come, traffic might get heavy and it will be hard to see, it might get noisy and hard to listen for the train, but ladies and gentlemen, the train is a’comin, and when it comes, everyone will know!

Has every nation heard this gospel? If not, why are we slumbering and sleeping? Why don’t we tell them? If the bridegroom is delayed, we are not to sit around and sleep; we must watch and do the duties He has given us to do. When we see the signs of the end of the age, we must become all the more compelled to do some imploring. And really, we cannot be equipped to share this good news if we don’t have a good understanding of God’s Word, and if we are not truly passionate for Jesus. We must be firmly grounded in faith and love, and be practicing the fruits of the Spirit, so that we can have the power to share the gospel. When we are led by the Spirit of God, we will live our own lives with His power. We will be led by God to the people who need to hear about Him most at that moment; those whose hearts are ripe. Our words might minister to someone, but more often it is our lives that show people God at work in us through love.

Tony Miano, Director of the Ambassador’s Academy, a branch of Living Waters, put it this way, “Christians are called by the Word of God to live their lives in such a way as to expect the Lord to return at any moment, and with that expectancy should come a sense of urgency, understanding that over 150,000 people die every day, with the vast majority of them bound for hell.” It is us, the ambassadors for Christ, who have the key in our hands. With our given talents, are we earning more? Are we saving lives?

In the parable of the talents as told in Luke 19, the master told his servants, “Occupy til I come.” That word occupy means to KEEP BUSY! We have work to do, brethren!

I was reminded of a Casting Crowns song, “While You Were Sleeping.” It is very, very challenging and hard-hitting, very, very relevant. I don’t believe I’ve heard another song like it!

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you’re lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had came
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we’re lying in the dark
There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping?
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay?
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King?
Will we be sleeping?
Will we be sleeping?

Here is what He says to those who slumber:

“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 4:14)

There is hope! The solution is you and me!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
      “ How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
      Who bring glad tidings of good things!” ” (Romans 10:12-15)

So, brethren, let’s seek more of God and more of His Spirit; let’s feed on this Word so we can change our world for Jesus. Let’s show the people the truth– it’s Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh!

So, to borrow the dancer’s phrase, “Move your feet!”

For more Word for Wednesdays, visit Yeah, Right…