What is Godly Watchfulness?

Midnight Comes

(Matthew 25:1-13, Preaching: Stephen Magee, November 9, 2014)

[25:1] “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. [2] Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. [3] For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, [4] but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. [5] As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

The Kingdom of Heaven is real, and we want to be sure that we are rightly preparing for it. Jesus, when He was completing His teaching ministry and preparing to go to the cross, told a parable about this to His disciples.

In this parable a distinction was made between the wise and the foolish. The wise were prepared; the foolish were not. All became drowsy and slept, but all were not equally prepared when one particular midnight came.

[6] But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ [7] Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ [9] But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’

This particular midnight came with a sound—a message that was an announcement: “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Oil was needed for the lamps. The wise had it; the foolish did not.

The foolish hoped the wise would be generous with their oil. But the wise were not willing to take the risk that generosity might lead to disaster. Their suggestion for the foolish: Go buy some oil from dealers in the middle of the night. Not that great an idea...

[10] And 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. [11] Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ [12] But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ [13] Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.Yet the foolish went for it! They had nothing better they could do. They were not prepared for a delayed arrival of the bridegroom. The result for them was very sad. They were locked out of the marriage feast. The groom did not even acknowledge them as his.

We are not left in ignorance concerning the point of the parable. “Watch therefore.” Readiness for the arrive of the husband of the church is not about knowing the hour. Midnight comes. Everyone will be surprised. Readiness is about hearts that are eager enough about the kingdom of heaven to prepare for any eventuality concerning the timing of the coming of the Lord.

Put the Word to Work: The church was being warned by the Lord that His coming again might seem to be delayed. They needed to cultivate watchfulness. What does it look like to wait well for the coming of the Lord? Denying or just ignoring the kingdom of heaven cannot be part of holy waiting. What can we do to set our hearts on things above (Colossians 3)? How can we do the mundane, the everyday, as those who believe that the hands of our husband are with us in everything good?

Other Readings:

Amos 5:18-24 – Let Justice Roll Down

Psalm 70 – O Lord, Do Not Delay

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – The Coming of the Lord