The text this Sunday is Matthew 25:1-13. As I work through this text, and all of Matthew 25 really, I am struck by how this passage brings together a lot of Matthew’s gospel.

In particular, I see the 5 foolish virgins in the parable of the soil. They received the word with joy, but without roots, the “joy” is stripped away quickly. They get in for the excitement, but when the Kingdom of God gets “hot” and “uncomfortable” or it’s no longer something “fun,” they fade out.

There is also the parable of the wheat and the weeds. There are those who simply aren’t prepared and in the last day, the Lord brings the separation.

The 5 wise virgins are also seen: the parable of the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price. They treasured Jesus. They knew the costs. They were prepared.

When we are treasuring Jesus we are so focused on his call that when the wait gets long or the going gets rough, we just keep going. Jesus is in full view and all we desire is him.

Being “ready” isn’t about reading the tea leaves to figure out who the antichrist is. Beady ready is about being obedient. Are we doing what the Master has asked of us? We are aware of the world around us, but we aren’t on OUR timeline… we wait for his timeline. It is about his Kingdom and his will.

Let our lamps be ready. Let our lives be treasuring Jesus today.