PENTECOST 23 – Nov. 8, 2020 – Matt. 25:1-13
“BE READY”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Matthew 25. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- This is a question that husbands and wives often ask each other: “Are you ready yet?” Now, I’m not going to assert who has to ask this question more often, the husband or the wife. The fact is, we all have times when it takes a bit longer to “get ready.”
- Readiness and preparedness is important. Even the Boy Scouts recognize this in their motto: “Be Prepared.” For Boy Scouts, and for the military, and for athletes, to “be prepared” and to “BE READY” means different things, albeit important things. Your safety, your very life, and your success likely depends upon you being ready and prepared.
- In our text, Jesus speaks of the coming of the kingdom of heaven. The context of these verses makes clear that Jesus is talking about the Last Day, the day of His second coming in glory, and the end of this present age. In our text it is clear that He want us to “BE READY” for that day!
- Many people do not think that such a day is ever coming. This was true already back in the days of the Apostles. Peter warns against those who say: “Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” He calls such people ignorant, and asserts that they demean the Word of God.
- Many other people think that such a day, if it comes, will be pleasant and exhilarating! We see this also in the Old Testament Lesson. And many Christians also think that there will only be unmitigated joy on that day, so that it is nothing to be concerned about. However, Jesus’ warning in our text, and the message of the Old Testament reading [Amos 5:18-24], urge us to think more seriously about what is coming!
- The teaching of Scripture is clear:
I. For The Wicked And The Unbelieving, The Day Of The Lord Will Be Terrible
Old Testament Lesson: “Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light, as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him. Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?”
Statement: That text goes on to describe the nature of those “looking forward” with joy and eagerness to “the day of the Lord.” They were religiously robotic, merely going through the motions. Their offerings were “obligations paid,” without thankfulness to God or love for Him. They were glibly joyful and intoxicated by their success and enjoyment of life, with no regard for the injustices and wickedness taking place all around them!
Application: This description can easily be applied to many today, and is a warning to each of us. Many go through the motions – and even superficially mention “God.” Many are “religious,” but to satisfy God rather than to receive from Him. They do not begin with repentance, and they do not crave His forgiveness, mercy, and love. They engage in religiosity only so that they can get back to their good life, assured that their sins will be overlooked. For such, unprepared for the coming of Jesus, the day of the Lord will bring only terror and disaster!
This is why Jesus warns us – and all people – to “BE READY.” Jesus makes clear that:
II. Those Who Are Unprepared For His Coming Will Miss The Feast Of God’s Heavenly Kingdom
Text: “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.”
Statement: The point here is that you cannot catch the bus if you are not even at the bus stop! The critical thing is to be among those who are ready!
If you are not ready you cannot go in with the Lord. If you are not ready, you will remain on the outside, the door shut. If you are not ready there will terror – like inescapable lions, bears, and deadly serpents. If you are not ready all will be darkness and gloom.
Application: Jesus warns us – indicating that this is not His will for any human being. It is as God Himself declares: “As I live, declares the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” [Ezek. 33:11] The Scripture asserts that “God wills all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” [1 Tim. 2:4] Nonetheless, without the preparedness that God provides for us through His Word, we cannot “BE READY.” And if we are not ready, it will not go well for us! Jesus encourages each of us, right now:
III. Be Ready At All Times
Text: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
A. We Are Prepared By God’s Word Which Calls All Of Us To Repent Of Our Sin And To Confess It To God
Is. 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we are calling Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
Rom. 3:23 “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
B. We Are Prepared By God’s Word, Which Promises Forgiveness, Mercy, Peace With God, And Eternal Salvation To All Who Believe In Jesus, To All Who Call On God For Mercy
John 3:36 “He that believes the Son has everlasting life.”
Rom. 3:24,25 “All are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a blood atonement through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”
Eph. 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Acts 2:21 “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Statement: I could go on and on. There are literally hundreds of passages in the Bible which assure us of God’s forgiveness because of Christ’s atonement for our sins, His suffering and death on the cross. The call is always to repent of these our sins, and to rejoice to RECEIVE God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy, and so to have peace with Him and eternal life. To live in such repentance and faith is to “BE READY” for the coming of Jesus! It is to BE in accord with His good and gracious will for every human being.
Application: He prepared it all for us – in spite of our sin. He loves us, and all depends on His love. He obviously does not want anyone to miss out – He warns all of us in this text and throughout the Holy Scripture, His Word – “BE READY.”
Conclusion: In many respects there is a great mystery when it comes to people being ready for the coming of the Last Day. When it comes to WORK, people invest great time and energy in order to “BE READY.” When it comes to SPORTS, people spend great effort in order to “BE READY.” When it comes to SOCIAL OCCASIONS, people spend great effort in order to “BE READY.”
But in order to “BE READY” for the most important, consequential, and existential day in every person’s life, God has done everything for us. He expended the effort and energy – in Christ’s suffering and death! He has expended the effort of love – reaching out to every human being with His Word, encouraging repentance and urging us to simply believe Him and to rejoice in His salvation! We have only to RECEIVE these precious things.
The will of God is in our best interest, and our own will should easily conform to God’s will. It is a great mystery that anyone should turn away from this salvation!
So “BE READY.” As Jesus said, “you know neither the day nor the hour.” But you do know His will, and you do know His forgiveness and love. So remain in repentance and faith in His Word and you will “BE READY.” God grant it to us all, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.