212 of 365 - Ready or not

​​​“The door was shut.” (Matthew 25:10)

“Lord, lord, open [the door] to us.” (Matthew 25:11)

“Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” (Matthew 25:12)

1 parable.
10 bridesmaids.
All invited.
All accept the invitation.
All dressed for the occasion.
All carrying lamps.
All eagerly awaiting the celebration.
​All resting.
On the outside, no difference could be seen.

​But only 5 enter the wedding feast.

Why?

Only 5 brought the extra oil needed to keep their lamps lit.
Only 5 were prepared to enter.

Jesus and the apostles tell us over and over again to be ready, for we do not know the exact time Jesus will return again.

This parable is a stern wake-up call about the consequences of not being ready. While the door is open wide now and Jesus is patient for all to enter, a time will come when the door is shut. And when it does, we won’t be able to borrow, transfer or share in the preparedness of others; it has to be our own.
 
Are you ready?
 
Challenge: Read the story of the 10 bridesmaids (some versions say 10 virgins) in Matthew 25:1-13. Think about where you see yourself.