Amos 5
18:24; 2 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Matthew 25: 1-13
I
can honestly say that I looked at all the texts today, trying to find one to
talk about other than the Gospel text. But, after our conversation at the
Tuesday evening Bible Study, I found a way to talk about it that did not make
me scream, “What about grace?” I’m not alone. On a Facebook page for ELCA
clergy, a pastor wrote, “Will someone please tell me where the gospel is in
Sunday’s gospel reading?”
I
finally figured out that the best way to talk about this parable is to solidly
locate it in Matthew’s community at the time of the writing of this book. Let’s
begin with some dates. Jesus died in about 30 CE. It is estimated that this
Gospel was written in about 85-90 CE, 60 years after he died and was raised.
Life
expectancy at that time was 35 or so, unless you had money, which gave you
access to good nutrition and medical care. If the disciples were the same age
as Jesus or even a bit younger, say 20-25, they would have been dead by the
year 45, 50 at the latest. By the time the Gospel of Matthew was written in 85
or 90 or so, two or even three or four generations have heard of him, have come
to believe in him, and have waited for him to return. It’s beginning to look
like his promise to return is not going to be fulfilled.
Most
of us are not good at waiting. We want what we want when we want it, and we
want it now, thank you very much! The early Christians have been patient,
despite the challenges of following Jesus in a Jewish and Roman society. The
longer they wait, the harder it gets to remain faithful. They are worried that
they have chosen to believe in something that is never going to happen. Why,
then, should they continue to believe in Jesus?
To
encourage the folks to continue to be patient, to continue to be faithful,
Matthew has Jesus tell this parable in this way. He uses the very familiar
image of God as Bridegroom and the people as Bride. This image is as familiar
to the people of that time as the cross is to us.
The
bridesmaids are waiting to greet the groom and accompany the bride and groom to
their new home. But, for some unexplained reason, the groom is delayed. He
shows up, but long after they had expected him to arrive. In an age before
electricity, everyone had oil lamps to light the way, much as we today would
use flashlights if we are out after dark. Their lamps/flashlights have gone out
from waiting so long. Just in case, some of the bridesmaids have spare
oil/batteries, but some of them do not have a back-up plan.
Those
without light run off to the all-night oil store – or the nearest convenience
store – to get more supplies. By the
time they return, the party has commenced inside and the doors are locked. They
are too late to join the party.
The
story seems to be about those who wait patiently and attentively for Jesus’
return, and about those who are going along just for the party, but are
unprepared to wait as long as necessary for it to begin. It reminds us of the
wedding feast where the invited guests refused to come, so others were invited
in. They all came, but one person was not wearing a wedding garment. He was
kicked out of the banquet hall.
The
parable seems to be saying, “If you have not made a complete commitment to be
part of the group, don’t bother hanging around waiting for the party.” So, for
me, the point of the parable is the need to make a commitment, no matter how
long it takes, and how hard it is to stay committed.
Some
things happen in the blink of an eye: a car swerves into our lane, and we just
barely avoid a collision. The ladder loses its footing in the ground, and we
grab the roof just in time to right ourselves. The oil spills over the pan and
catches on fire; fortunately, we have an extinguisher handy. Such accidents cause
our hearts to beat faster, and to remember how lucky we are.
We
thank God that nothing serious happened to us. And for the next week or two, we
are more closely connected to God. But after a time, we forget. God takes a
back seat again. We forget that we are waiting and watching for God’s presence
and activity in our lives. We have neglected to bring extra oil/ batteries in
case we have to wait longer than we thought we would.
Twenty
or so years after Jesus died, Paul was starting churches and keeping in touch
with them through letters. The people in the church in Thessalonica were
beginning to worry. They thought Jesus was coming soon, any day now, and they
were tired of waiting. The first believers were dying before Jesus could come
for them. “What is going to happen to them?” they wonder.
Paul
writes to assure them that they have not been forgotten. They will be raised
from their tombs along with all other believers who have died waiting for Jesus’
return. They will be gathered together with those believers who are still alive
and taken to be with Jesus forever. None will be forgotten, none will be left
behind by Jesus.
Of
course, 2,000 years later, we are still waiting for Jesus to return in triumph.
Millions of believers have lived and died, patiently serving, faithfully waiting
for that day. We have filled and refilled our oil lamps and bought hundreds of
fresh batteries, and the end has not come. Are we waiting in vain, do you
think?
No,
God’s promises will be fulfilled, in God’s time, and in God’s way. We make
assumptions about what Jesus’ return will look like, but in truth, we don’t
know. Some think it will look like the Day of the Lord that the folks of Amos’
time were hoping for: a powerful, cataclysmic event to prove that Israel was righteous
in God’s eyes. Yet, Amos prophesied that the Day of the Lord was going to be
disastrous for the people, not a joyful occasion, because they were far from
righteous.
We
must remember that God likes surprises. The ancient Jews were waiting for a
Messiah, to gather an army and crush the Romans. Instead, Jesus came, and was
crushed by them. No one – NO ONE – was looking for a Messiah who would get himself
killed before he had begun. No one – NO ONE – was looking for an empty tomb.
As
we wait today, let’s remember that God likes surprises, and keep our lamps lit so
we can see God in our midst wherever and however God shows up. Let’s remember
that the Holy Spirit waits with us, and will help us see God’s activity, if we
are open to such surprises. Let’s wait faithfully, patiently, and attentively,
so we don’t miss out on any of the fun. This
week, keep your flashlights handy, to help you see where God is and what God is
doing, because I promise you that God WILL show up, if you are looking for God.
Please
pray with me. God of surprises, we try to wait and watch for you, but it is
easy to let our lamps go out and to get distracted by life. Forgive us when we
fail to see you. Make us more watchful so we can enjoy your presence with us. And
help us show you to those who are afraid that they are waiting for you in vain.
Amen
