Pentecost 22 A: Hope and Help for Foolish Bridesmaids
Dear Partner in Preaching,
November is a hard month to preach. Part of that is where we are in the cycle of the church calendar, as November draws us toward Christ the King and the lectionary readings anticipate Christ’s second advent even as we prepare to celebrate his first advent at Christmas. And the other part is Matthew, who offers more warnings about hellfire and gnashing teeth than the rest of the evangelists combined. And so this Sunday and those that follow will treat us to exhortations to wait, to make the most of our gifts, and to do good…or else.
And while all these parables present their own distinct challenges, I have to confess that I find this one the most challenging. Three reasons: 1) We’re not accustomed to the role virgins/bridesmaids played in ushering in the groom to the wedding and so the whole parable feels a little archaic and somewhat confusing.
2) Matthew’s parable are, by and large, exhortations to a community that has come through some significant duress to keep the faith, to confess Christ, and to wait expectantly for his return, even though it has already been delayed beyond what first generation believers anticipated. Considering that the Thessalonians to whom Paul was writing around 51 AD or so are already anxious that they have missed out on Jesus’ return, we can imagine that it’s quite a bit harder to inspire Matthew’s community to vigilance thirty years later. Now, project that out another nearly 2000 years and you begin to appreciate the challenge of preaching this text today. I mean, who is still waiting eagerly, anxiously for Jesus’ imminent return? Well, pretty much only those folks who predict it on billboards and at whom we typically poke fun.
3) The parable seems, quite frankly, a little unfair. All the bridesmaids brought oil, all waited, all fell asleep. And the decision about who gets in comes down to who anticipated the bridegroom would be this incredibly late and so brought more oil. Okay, so maybe it’s not unfair. Maybe it’s just that I’m pretty darn certain that I would have been among the foolish bridesmaids. Yes, there are some folks who are incredibly prepared, always plan way in advance, always bring more supplies or food or whatever than necessary, and are always there early. Yes, there are such folks, and I’m not one of them.
So what do we do with this stubborn, somewhat archaic, and rather threatening parable? Preach Amos! (Just kidding, Amos is no picnic either.) But seriously, how might we approach this parable? I have no answers, but I do have a couple of thoughts and I’ll be glad if you’d share your thoughts and strategies as well. Together, we might just find a word of the Lord for our people.
So, three ideas, more maybe four. First, admit that this parable is odd, a bit ominous, and rather archaic (in terms of both imagery and theme). It just is, and we might as well set at ease those folks who found it confusing, uncomfortable, or generally difficult to understand. That’s where most of us preachers are with this parable, and it might help your hearers to know that they are not alone.
Second, focus on the core issue of waiting and admit, quite frankly, that the kind of waiting Matthew is encouraging through this parable is hard. Waiting for something way over due, waiting for something you’re not sure will even come, waiting that involves active preparation when you’re not even sure what you should be preparing for. That kind of waiting is challenging.
Third, waiting, however, does provide an important point of contact. Because it’s something we’re all accustomed to. Whether it’s waiting for Christmas that most of us remember vividly from our childhood or waiting for a phone call from a certain special someone or waiting for news of a loved one’s safe arrival while traveling, we all know what it is to wait. In particular, we know how hard waiting can be. And here, I think, is really the center of the sermon: waiting is often hard, really hard, and often is tinged by anxiety.
So perhaps a primary strategy for this day, Dear Partner, is to ask what your people are waiting for? What event are they looking forward to? And what kind of waiting are they finding not only difficult, but anxiety-provoking? Is it the call from the doctor with test results? Or perhaps a sign from a family member or friend with whom you’ve had an argument that all will be well? Is it waiting for the pain of bereavement to end? Or waiting for word from your first choice college or a lead on a job?
We are well acquainted with waiting. Whether what we are waiting for is good or bad hardly matters, the anxiety and stress of the living in the “in-between time” of waiting can be difficult. And this parable reminds us that we are not alone in our waiting. From the earliest Christians on, we have confessed that waiting can be most difficult. Moreover, Jesus tells this parable in his own “in-between time,” his own time of waiting. This parable is set between Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his trial and crucifixion. And one thing Matthew and all the Evangelists agree on is that Jesus knew what was coming. And so here he is, teaching the crowds, facing off with his opponents, and instructing his disciples…even as he waits for the coming cross. Jesus, too, knows how difficult waiting can be and is with us and for us in our waiting.
Now, I realize that the kind of active, prepared waiting for the return of the Lord Matthew is encouraging is not quite the same as the kind of waiting we’ve been talking about. So what do we do about that? Here’s a fourth and final suggestion:
Let’s admit that waiting for Jesus’ imminent return is difficult for most of us to entertain. But let’s also recognize that opportunities for waiting on Jesus’ presence are all around us. Each time we work for justice (as Amos invites in the first reading), we testify to the presence of Jesus. Each time we bear each other’s burdens, we testify to Jesus’ presence. Each time we advocate for the poor, or reach out to the friendless, or work to make this world God loves a better place, we testify to the presence of the Risen Christ.
Finally, let’s also admit that even this kind of waiting and preparation can be hard to sustain. That we can grow weary in our work, frustrated by the lack of outcomes we see, or distracted by the thousand and one other obligations that fill each of our lives. In short, let’s admit that on any given day, each of us may discover we are a foolish bridesmaid. Given this reality, let’s reclaim church as a place where we can find help and support in our waiting – all kinds of waiting! – and support as we try to live our Christian life. I find it striking that Paul closes this part of his letter to those first-century Thessalonians that found their own waiting nearly intolerable with these words, “Therefore, encourage one another….”
Yes, that is our role as the church. We are those who wait for each other – wise and foolish alike. We are those who sit vigil for each other at times of pain, loss or bereavement. We are those who celebrate achievements and console after disappointment. We are those who give hope when hope is scarce, comfort when it is needed, and courage when we are afraid. We are, in short, those who help each other to wait, prepare, and keep the faith. In all these ways, we encourage each other with the promises of Christ. That’s what it means to be Christ’s followers, then and now. And that’s why we come together each Sunday, to hear and share the hope-creating promises of our Lord.
Well, that’s what I have. I hope it helps, and I appreciate you contributing your thoughts and wisdom as well, Dear Partner, as this kind of collaborative support is particularly important with a challenging passage like this one. However you may decide to preach these texts, please know that I take great encouragement from you and your fidelity to this high calling. Blessings on your proclamation and, this week, on the waiting you may experience until you discover a fit and faithful word from the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
David
Post Image: “Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins,” Hieronymus Francken the Younger (c. 1616).
I serve a congregation in the Washington D.C. area, and one of the things that I’ve noticed about D.C. is that D.C. is a city in which people make preparations on behalf of a great number of other people.
As I reflect on this text, as someone who is generally prepared, I find it striking that it’s so easy to neglect spiritual preparation or simply become distracted, and I’m inclined to believe, like you, David, that the difficulty of waiting for Christ’s return has everything to do with that.
Thanks for your insight.
I am a 75-year-old in my fifth year of a half-time interim ministry. Next May 31, will mark my fiftieth anniversary of ordination. So I have prepared a lot of sermons. I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your weekly thoughts on the Sunday texts. You provide me with many great suggestions and thoughts for my sermon prep. Thank you and God bless you and the work you do.
Joy and peace, Chuck
I appreciate the thoughts you offer week after week and am especially appreciative of this one. The congregation I serve just yesterday voted to sell its property to an affordable housing developer–the need for and our ability to help provide affordable housing is part of a newly discerned vision. For some, it is a ludicrous idea; for others it is a proclamation of the gospel. For everyone, it is a time for waiting–what will happen? when? where will we be? what will church look like? Too many questions, too much waiting and yet for many, we have committed to waiting together. Thank you.
To me this parable seems very unfair, as far as concerning the foolish maids. In my sermon I interpreted their position as the people who don’t have any spare (oil, money whatsoever) at all. People who are glad when they manage to deal with very little money for their daily life. And what do the refugees have left, coming in terrible boats from Africa to the shores of the European Promised Land?! They gave their last penny to miserable people to take them to the other side of life, and they hope it will be a better life. So, main point for me is: why should people who spend what they have awaiting the groom but do not have enough to wait for him, coming so late, why should they stand at a closed door?! Perhaps is this groom NOT the Son of Men about whom is told in Mat.25,31ff. And should we ask ourselves: who is the groom we are following in this world? Because in Mat.25,31ff the Son of Men is making clear that who is lacking food, drink etc, we should give them food, something to drink etc. So, share what you have! And that’s exactly what the so called wise young women don’t do…
Reading this parable I’m in favor for these so called foolish young women and the question is: are we, am I prepared to share from what I have, even when it is something I could also use myself very much…
We have a choice, you know. As Marc Chagall’s painting ‘The creation of men’ also shows us.
I’m not sure how old this comment is and whether or not you’ll ever see my answer – but at least part of the problem is that the foolish ones left. While the foolish ones did not come prepared to wait, they at least could have stood near the wise ones and shared their light but they were so self concerned that they left the place where the groom was sure to arrive (communion of saints?) and tried to do it alone.
They should have been excited to see the groom but instead they were so self aware of their own lack that they placed the groom secondary.
I know that this is not what is generally taught regarding this passage but the other view (the the oil represents the Holy Spirit and that the foolish ones were lacking in Him) is insufficient. They all had oil. It just so happened that some of them didn’t have enough.
They should have been prepared to wait.
Hope this helps.
Sam, the foolish bridesmaids didn’t simply leave, They left after the wise rejected their “foolish” pleas for help and directed them to go find their own oil in the ark of night. What other possibilities for shared light and Spirit existed for both the foolish and the wise?
Chris, Interesting thought. I am all for sharing what we have. I just don’t see this as the point of this parable. And I am not sure the problem is that they don’t have any money after all they go to the dealer in order to buy oil…
David,
thank you for this good meditation. I want to add that next Sunday is not only veteran’s day but also the 25th anniversary of the opening/fall of the Berlin Wall. I hope you will share with us a thought or two about this momentous event that changed Europe and its people in many a ways.
Always grateful for your insights.
I like where you are going with exploring what people are waiting for — and I can’t help but think of Douglas John Hall’s model of redemptive vs unredemptive suffering (because, as Tom Petty sang and many of us instinctively know, to wait is to suffer in some way shape or form). What I find interesting in Matthew 25 is that the chapter begins with a story of how to properly await the lolly dogging one who has NOT YET arrived, while the final parable of the chapter tells about how we missed the one who was ALREADY with us all along. Thank you for all you do and share here.
Chris Kors,
I love stretching a parable to its further extent to make preaching a bit easier, but, in my opinion, your exegesis is a bit more eisegesis. I, too, am struggling with the text. I like David Lose’s approach. I am unprepared. I am not the one with the handy haversack. And, in my waiting, I am going to spend my resources, my time, my energy on some thing else; even when the prize is in sight. That’s my sin. I have no patience to endure. I have no real ability to wait. I am unwilling to trust the promises of God for the long term. That’s what eschatalogical preaching is about; hold on, don’t waste what you have, use it for the things that endure, hope is coming, it’s worth the wait. Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King as the great song says. I find this text less about how the door will be slammed in my face if I don’t prepare enough and more about how do I help my people, and myself, understand that the anticipation of Christ’s coming is not a waste of time and resources. Maybe we are coming at this text from opposite directions but wanting the same conclusion.
Just about every time I preach, I thank God for your deep insights into the texts. This one provides so much fodder for sermonizing.
I do wonder about your 4th suggestion, though. It is a new perspective and the one that strikes me most deeply. But I don’t think that we recognize are opportunities for WAITING as such as you say here, “But let’s also recognize that opportunities for waiting on Jesus’ presence are all around us.” Perhaps what Matthew’s audience was missing, and we too, is that Jesus IS present in all those spots you mentioned; that the Kingdom is even now breaking in. Or is that exactly what you were saying? Or how about this, that the opportunities for waiting on Jesus, are opportunities for waiting on in the sense of serving?.
Thank you for this opportunity to be in dialog.
That enigmatic last line may whisper a hint of understanding in this deep- and somewhat troubling parable. In the waiting is the knowing, so when the one who stands at the door is saying,”I do not know you,” I wonder if there is a lament for lost opportunities as much as a rejection.
Just a thought.
This idea of waiting has been taken too far for too long – and arises out of a specious theology and a very real polemic embedded in Matthew that we will do well to be honest about in preaching.
My sermon is going to be “Quit Waiting.”
God is not lingering, tantalizing us for centuries and millennia and readying …. any moment … to leap out at us like one of those scary jack box clowns.
Yes, we all have to wait but mostly we have to be awake, attentive and active – truly living in the moments and seasons and lives we are given here and now.
How much passivity is/has been spawned by deifying this notion f waiting? How much hand wringing, entropy and stagnation have been laid on God for not “returning” as we just sit here?
And yes, thank you David, for saying that we are both of these sets of virgins – the wise and the foolish, the ready and not… but in the next moment we can (sometimes) be the ready, the attentive, the alive.
And, don’t we know, the parable was meant to be mean – mean to “them” who don’t understand Jesus the way we do and self-congratulatory to “us” who are going in while “they” are getting locked out? Let’s just name it and move on – people are really tired of coming to church to watch the preacher put lipstick on a pig.
I struggle with texts that imply there will one day be The Day when Christ returns. What on earth does this mean?? It seems to be that Christ ‘returns’ every time we bring Christ and the Reign of God into any present situation. I like that David writes about this, too. In our Anglican liturgy we say: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. This is not some future date when somehow the whole world will see and know that the Second Coming has arrived – well, at least we have enough technology and social networks to let everyone know – but the risen Christ is amongst us whenever the gospel is lived. Thanks, David, for your generosity in offering your thoughts to us. Appreciated.
I saw a meme on Facebook a few days ago that might be related, or at least a parallel: “Beware of Destination Addiction—a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job, and with the next partner. Until you give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are.” Perhaps we should look at “waiting addiction.” If we’re waiting for something (that is likely not going to happen in our lifetime) and we put everything else on hold, then we miss out on those moments when Christ is present… in the neighbor, the child, the place we work and the people we work among, etc.
Randall I have a similar approach, active waiting vs complacent waiting. When we are complacent about the long awaited things we are often distracted from their importance and thus focus on other things. Then when the time comes, we find ourselves unprepared like a student who is told at the beginning of the semester that the final paper is due in 20 weeks and waits till the last week to begin. When we actively wait we are making perhaps small preparations but our focus is on the promised if even long awaited time.
Thanks for your insight.
As a Lutheran I immediately identify as foolish and not wise, expect that I can never have enough oil and yet Jesus puts his feet in between the door so I can still get in. Yes this happens to me every day.
Are the virgins foolish because they didn’t have enough oil, or because they left to get some, and we thus shut out of the party? Couldn’t they have stayed, huddled close to a bridesmaid who had oil, and entered with the bridegroom? Is this parable less about staying awake and more about staying put, confessing your lack of preparation, and yet being invited by the bridegroom into the feast. Perhaps, preparation is not the key. Perhaps this parable is about foolishly remaining, even without the oil, and depending upon the grace of God rather than preparation gaining us entrance to the party.
But remember that the wedding guest without the wedding robe was present but unprepared. His presence bought him nothing.
When I read this parable I often think that the oil is the Holy Spirit burning in our hearts (lamps) so don’t let your connection with the bridegroom or your love for him die out before he returns. Maybe not so much exegesis more just how the story speaks to my heart and mind. Don’t you just love parables with their twists and turns still provoking controversy and meditation in 21st Century?
I read the text a little differently. To me, the oil is a metaphor for faith. Faith is the only thing that distinguishes those who go to heaven from those that don’t. People could live identical lives in action, but faith is required to go to heaven. It’s harsh, but true. Faith illuminates the lamps through which we see and live our lives. The 5 bridesmaids could not share their oil with the 5 who had forgotten because faith is something not given to you by someone else, but something one must acquire themselves.
Brian,
I don’t entirely agree faith is a singularly, self-engaged process. There are aspects of a person’s faithful life that she or he must tread alone. Waiting for Christ’s appearance today and in the pending Day of Judgment along with surrendering one’s will to God’s will are indeed courageous acts of independent faith. That being said, we are only one week removed from All Saints and All Souls’ Day. These occasions remind us that we live in a huge “cloud of witnesses.” Christianity is a religion because we practice rituals, study scripture, and nurture our understanding of this faith with and through one another. One of the things that provokes me most about this parable is that the wise bridesmaids are loath to share some of their oil. They also are unwilling to travel into the darkness with their foolish neighbors. Proving themselves worthy to the Bridegroom and themselves became more important. Faith may be the only thing that gets us into heaven and a faith that is constricted by its focus on piety and self-righteousness is not indicative of The Gospel’s teachings regarding compassion and collaboration .
Brian, I disagree with your point that faith “is something not given to you by someone else, but something one must acquire themselves.” We initially get faith in our Baptism, and it is renewed through Holy Communion. Thus it is given to us by God, through Jesus, through the Holy Spirit. Your response implies that there is something we can do to merit our salvation. I believe that there is nothing that I can do to merit my salvation, but that Jesus’ blood and righteousness gained that for me. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Eph. 2:8-9.
In October I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Celebration of Biblical Preaching hosted by Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. and hear Pastor Grace Imathiu preach on Matthew’s parable of the wedding party (Matthew 22:1-14).
She opened that parable to me in a way I had never heard the gospel proclaimed. I feel the parable of the 10 maidens runs parallel to her insight and message. In the parable of Matthew 22, Pastor Grace found Jesus not as the ruthless king but as the guest who was not properly attired for the event.
She said, “Our Jesus is the one who refuses to wear the king’s robe. Our Jesus refuses to eat with the “higher ups.” Our Jesus refuses to enter like a king and instead comes into town on a donkey. … The one thrown out [of the wedding feast] is Jesus. Jesus is the one thrown out in the outer darkness. He is the one bound, tortured and thrown out. The one who goes ahead of us. … And when you are sent into the outer darkness, that is where you find our God. Not in the confines of safety.”
In 1 Corinthians 1:27 Paul writes, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”
If the kingdom of heaven is found in this perplexing parable, maybe Christ’s presence is found among the foolish maidens. Jesus is right here in our midst. Throughout his ministry we always find him “packing lightly.” In fact (in Luke) he instructs his disciples to do the same. Jesus always seems to be with those who are foolish when it comes to the ways of the world. After all, grace and righteousness are all about what God does for us through Christ and not what we do to try and please God. Jesus is the one who is often shut out and turned away. As we see time and time again throughout the Gospels, Jesus is found more often with those who are cast out, with those who are not included, and with those who are deemed unworthy to attend the party.
I think that is where I find the good news of this perplexing little parable thanks to Pastor Grace Imathiu.
First let me say that I won’t be preaching this from a “you’d better _______ or your salvation is at risk” perspective. I have been pondering the notion of foolishness all week. Here are some of my thoughts. I would welcome comments and ponderings about how we are foolish..
The bridesmaids were foolish, in other words, they knew better. We all know about safe driving habits yet we can foolishly ignore them when it suits our mood. There is a difference between taking a risk in the case of an emergency and driving carelessly as a matter of habit or because we are late for something not life threatening.
The bridesmaids knew that the arrival of the bridegroom was unpredictable. They were foolish because they didn’t take the information they had and apply it, thus they carelessly didn’t have enough oil for their lamps. If it was a case of simply underestimating they wouldn’t be labeled foolish.
What is foolish for one may not be foolish for another. Some pastors feel compelled to write their sermons early in the week, others put their sermon into written form later in the week. If it works for them and the Word is being proclaimed it is not foolishness.
We are fortunate to receive many warnings in our lives. Warnings that are intended to keep us safe and healthy. Warnings that are intended to enrich our lives and our relationships.
Doctors warn us when lab results or tests raise concern. They encourage us to change the behaviors we can in order to improve our health.
Speed limits and laws of the road are intended to keep us and others safe. We are fortunate when we receive a warning ticket rather than an outright ticket.
Our parents gave us countless warnings to keep us safe – don’t touch a hot stove or iron. Don’t jump off the roof of the garage. Don’t play with fire.
So, I’m looking at this text as a warning. How do I miss out in my relationship to God and others by my foolish behavior? What advice or common sense do I regularly ignore?
These are not words of judgment. They are words from our loving God who wants to be in relationship with us. What can I learn from them?
As I ponder the five foolish bridemaids, it seems to me that it is inconceivable that they wouldn’t be prepared with enough oil. This Sunday, I’ll illustrate that point with the (made up) example of a mother of the bride who gets busy cleaning the bathroom and is late to her daughter’s wedding. It’s just not possible that that scenario would actually happen. So it is with the bridemaids not having enough oil.
I think that helps connect things to the Amos text. We think we’re doing what is important, but we’re badly missing the main thing. It should be inconceivable that we don’t work for justice and righteousness. Yet we overlook that.
I think the key to interpreting this parable is in Jesus’ own concluding words: Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” David Lose is right, the issue is what we are waiting/keeping awake for: and the answer is it is the bridegroom! Christ and God’s kingdom are coming! We should be excited about this as we are as kids are on Christmas morning for opening presents. The trap the parable sets for us all, is that we focus on the lamps and the oil! All of us fall asleep, both the wise and the foolish fail in the same way. Neither are focused on the bridegroom and the wedding at hand, but on their oil and their lamps, and how ready THEY are. The only failure of the foolish that leaves them “truly unknown” to the bridegroom at the end, is that they never once stopped to think about what was important before or after. I agree then, in a way, with David Westphal above. The real lesson is foolish remaining. Remaining awake, and anticipating Christ is what the parable teaches, and both wise and foolish fail at just that…the foolish even more so, because they remained focused on the oil from start to finish. So, it is that we must rely on Christ, for our own efforts and our own worries about lamps and how much oil we have will never get us to the feast. The bridegroom brings us to the feast, so keep awake, and look there, not at your lamps and your oil. We all fail, and fall asleep. But Christ comes anyway. Christ comes even though we fell asleep and refused to share our oil. Christ comes even though we forgot to bring more oil, and came unprepared. Christ brings us to the feast, and that makes all of the difference. So, do not get wrapped up in who brought what, or if you are wise or foolish. All of this is what this parable warns us against. What really matters is the feast and the Bridegroom that are coming, and isn’t that exciting news indeed?
Thank you, David, for your thoughts and ideas. I like the idea of what people are waiting for, but, how do I preach this to people in the congregation who are waiting for the other shoe to drop in abusive relationships? Spouses, children, whoever?
Maybe I WILL go w/Amos after all. 🙂
I always find inspiration, humor and challenge in your words David. This week I am pondering how to preach waiting in a society that expects everything now. If we call someone at home and there is no answer, we call the cell; no answer there,we send a text, no immediate response? We text someone else to get a status update of where they think the original person might be. We are not a people who wait well… how do you do sitting in the reception room at the doctor’s office? Pause for about 15 seconds during the sermon this week, and see how well you and the congregation waits on you to continue! The central issue for me, is just what is it we are waiting for? What do we envision as the return? Jesus coming on a cloud? Do we get drawn in to the “Left Behind” vortex? The rapture seems to be like playing a game of whack-a-mole, you think you knocked it down and it pops up somewhere else.For me it will be “active-waiting” as a focus. Preparing by actively living out the gospel. We have our charge from Jesus, hinting towards next weeks gospel, we need to be the ones who wonder when we did it, because it is just what we do as we live as Christians. Thanks again for all you do David!
The Kingdom of God is like missing out on a great meal at a feast because you made a mistake. It’s truly aggravating to have to sit around and dream about what your missing if only you hadn’t been so stupid.
So wise up. Have your wits about you and be prepared as you wait for the invitation to the never ending feast… You really don’t want to miss the best party of all!
Go back to the text, and you’ll see that the problem wasn’t that the foolish didn’t bring enough oil. They didn’t bring any at all, & then they didn’t use the delay as an opportunity to get any. “When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them.” Matthew 25:3 NRSV.
Anticipation of the Parousia calls for more than napping.
I think that this may be another reflection from Matthew on the acceptance of the Messiah by some in the synagogue, while others could not or did not accept him. It is the time of separation of the ‘Christians” from the synagogue. Ten lamps seems to obvious to me of those teachers of the Scriptures who kept looking and reading and preaching all about the one coming…..and then really were not ready when the Messiah came in a different time (like who has a wedding at night in this century in Palestine? And since when does the groom go to the brides home?)
This whole parable turns all sorts of things upside down for me. There is so much Old Testament imagery, and this image of a wedding was used by rabbis concerning the messiah for years before and generations after.
We should be careful about pronouncing judgement when it comes to Jesus’ return and especially as he continues to come each and every day in our lives. The fact is we do MISS so many opportunties! The door has been shut several times, and like Peter, I do need to be given second and third chances and more.
Maybe the best sermon should be: What Do I Do When I Find the Door Shut????
Answer: Matthew 7:71-12 ?
That is a great question. That shut door part has really been troubling me. I keep remembering Jesus’words knock and the door shall be opened unto you and this seems the opposite. Then I remember the story of the neighbor that kept banging on the door, being persistent until someone opened it. If the door was shut to me, and I really wanted to get in, I would do different things, bang on it, look for someone to help me, walk away from the whole situation. If what is on the other side of the door so important to me, I guess I would really try to figure out a way to open it and get to whatever was beyond. Or I could reject it all together. Wasn’t that exactly what was happening to Jesus-some daring to come to him and seek his love and forgiveness and others walking away from him, Hmm =any thoughts from you most appreciated. Like our friend above said, perhaps Jesus is the door in this parable. Joyce
It strikes me that waiting is not just a matter of supporting each other while we wait, as important as that is. Waiting involves active training in discipleship, in living out the love that is the reign of God. This is especially important to me as we now are dealing with more and more mass shootings. There is an urgency about our need to be ready for this kingdom of love. It is a matter of life and death. And it should be pointed out, as Capon does, that what is coming is a party. Waiting for a party transforms how we wait.
“I do not know you” seems a key to the parable. Matthew 7 says “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Here, people are doing all sorts of good deeds in Jesus’ name and calling him Lord, Lord…and he says “I never knew you.” Matthew 25 and Matthew 7 echo each other in phrases and themes.
Perhaps Matthew’s community, in the “waiting” for Christ’s delayed return, has become divided, with false prophets spreading lies about what it means to be faithful, who is worthy, who should be included, how to live out our faith.
Perhaps some have grown weary in being faithful to the mystery of God’s presence now as they wait for the fullness of time. Such a human story, we so easily lose faith in the promise and begin hearing what we want to hear from others, that put our wisdom, not God’s, in the drivers seat.
This parable is a corrective to a community dealing with false prophets whose fruits expose their lack of understanding of the God of reconciliation and grace.
Being in a relationship with the Bridegroom/Jesus, faithfully expecting his return, anticipating that we need enough “oil” for the journey, no matter how long it takes, is wise.
It is easy to ask, do I have enough oil, am I foolish, but I don’t think this is a “me and God” message, this is about what kind of Christian community we are going to be, while God is delayed in making all things right.
We have seen Christians who define the church as to who is unworthy, who should be rejected, rather than who God loves.
In the parable it concludes with the dreadful sentence, “I say to you, I never knew you,” can perhaps be read as simply reflecting the truth of their condition. As Robert Capon writes in “The End of the Storm,” “He does not say, “I never called you.” He does not say, “I never loved you.” He does not say, “I never drew you to myself.” He only says, “I never knew you – because you never bothered to know me.”
The irony is that we are all invited to the party, oil or no oil, watchful or not watchful, foolish or wise. Capon continues “party is not just down the street making up its mind when to come to us. It is already hiding in our basement, banging on our steam pipes, and laughing its way up our cellar stairs. The unknown day and hour of its finally bursting into the kitchen and roistering its way through the whole house is not dreadful; it is all part of the divine lark of grace. God is not our mother-in-law, coming to see whether her wedding-present china has been chipped. He is a funny Old Uncle with a salami under one arm and a bottle of wine under the other. We do indeed need to watch for him; but only because it would be such a pity to miss all the fun.