the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Matthew 25:1-13
According to eastern custom, a bridegroom arriving at night for his nuptial feast was lighted on his way and escorted by virgins, the friends of the bride (today we would call them bridesmaids; cf. Psalms 45:9, 54). The Lord uses this touching illustration to show us the way in which we should wait for Him, the heavenly Bridegroom. Alas! Christians generally have grown weary of this period of waiting. Spiritual sleep has taken possession of them and has lasted for many centuries. It was necessary, at a recent time in the Church’s history, that the call (how rightly named), the midnight cry should be sounded out, "Behold the bridegroom! . . ." The Lord cometh! In consequence a distinction appears: the wise virgins have oil in their lamps, just as the true believers are ready for the Master’s coming, and their light – the Holy Spirit – can shine out in the night of this world’s darkness. Others, like the foolish virgins, will have made some profession of awaiting the Lord but without possession of life from Him. It was a sad mistake for them to bear the lovely name of Christian – a terrible illusion, and no less terrible the awakening!
Oh! let each one ask him or herself while there is still time: "Is there oil in my lamp? Am I ready for His return?" (Romans 8:9 end).
