November 12,
2017
Matthew 25: 1-13
What if this had
happened during Hurricane Irma? There was a wedding planned at St John, but the
groom was delayed because of a fallen tree. They weren’t sure how long it would
take for the road to be cleared.
The bride and
her bridesmaids were already at the church. They had flashlights so if the
power went out, they would still be able to see. As it happened, the power did
go out, and the groom had still not appeared.
The bridesmaids
turned on their flashlights when it got dark outside. Eventually, the batteries
in the flashlights died, and the bridesmaids looked for replacement batteries.
Some of the bridesmaids had brought extra batteries, but some hadn’t. Those who
didn’t have extra batteries got in their cars to drive to the gas station. They
bought some more batteries and went back to the church.
By this time the
groom and his groomsmen had made it to the church. When the bridesmaids arrived
back at the church, the groom turned them away. “You weren’t prepared for a
long delay. You can’t come in.”
How do you
respond to this story? … Not very
welcoming / should have been better prepared / enough light to see once your
eyes get used to it / not fair
I hope you can
see that my story is an updated version of the parable in the Gospel. The usual
interpretation of the parable in today’s gospel lesson is that we should always
be ready for Jesus’ return. “Pay attention, because you don’t know when.”
For 2,000 years,
people have tried to predict when Jesus will return. Every time there are a lot
of earthquakes, or violent storms, or a new war, or a devastating disease,
people point to it and say, “It must be the end times. Look at all these signs!”
But, this has happened every few years for the last two millennia. Jesus said
we truly will not know when he is returning.
Paul and the
first Christians certainly thought Jesus would return soon in a blaze of glory.
They became worried that some believers were dying before Jesus’ return. “What
would happen to them?” they wondered. “Don’t get married,” Paul taught. “Jesus
is coming soon.”
But, it’s 2,000
years later, and we are still waiting for that glorious return. We have for the
most part stopped expecting Jesus’ return. We rarely even think about it in
church except in November when the assigned texts force us to deal with it. Or
when the signs of the time seem to point to it.
Some people deal
with this by focusing on Jesus’ return, so they can end the suffering of this
world. They look forward to the day when they will have no more physical or
mental pain. “I’ll fly away” they sing. A friend put it this way: Some people
are so heavenly-minded, they’re no earthly good.
Other people,
including most Lutherans, focus on relieving suffering on earth while we wait. We
feed, clothe, visit, house those in need. We welcome all, even those who show
up late without batteries for their flashlights. We sing, “They’ll know we are
Christians by our love.”
I prefer to
believe that Jesus has already returned by sending the Holy Spirit to be with
us in his place. Spirit helps us see the need and respond. Spirit helps us see
Jesus. When we see our neighbor in need, we give him a little Jesus by feeding
or clothing or sheltering him. When our neighbor notices that we are hurting,
she brings us a hug, a pan of lasagna, and a cup of tea. We see Jesus in her. When
we pay attention, we can see Jesus often.
And, when we pay
attention, we can use the signs Spirit sends us directly as reminders to pay
attention to God. Blood clots in my leg and in my pulmonary artery forced me to
remember I am mortal, whether I want to consider that or not. For me, the end
time almost came. But I had good medical care, and good medications to prevent
a repeat, and here I am.
Chances are you
have had such an experience as well, either you or someone you love. I hope the
all-too-frequent mass shootings have you in prayer, asking for God’s mercy. As
our Congresspersons and Senators put together a tax plan and try to resolve the
medical coverage mess, I hope you both pray and contact our representatives.
This week, I
hope you will pay attention to what is happening. Look for signs that Jesus is
present through the Holy Spirit. Watch for those who bring Jesus to you. And
watch for opportunities to be Jesus to others.
Please pray with
me. Lord, in some way or another, we ask you to come to us, and make yourself
known. Come to us through your Spirit, or through our friends, or through whatever
is happening. We ask that you come, Lord Jesus. Amen
