Oil In Our Lamps…

Morning!

Raises his cup of coffee

Philippians 2:3

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

Thomas doubted.

Peter denied Jesus.

The rest of the disciples ran.

When the moment came—when Jesus was arrested—they scattered.

These were the men who had walked with Him, who had witnessed miracles firsthand, who had heard His words straight from His lips.

And still, they abandoned Him when things got difficult.

Do we run, too?

This morning, it occurs to me—if we are to prepare the way for Jesus, we must be present and engaged.

But how often do we turn away?

Because every one of us—including the Apostles—struggled with this before and after Jesus’ death.

It seems to me there are two main ways we can focus on preparing:

1. Spiritual preparation.

2. Physical preparation.

Because who knows when Jesus is going to show up?

Who knows when an angel is going to appear?

Hebrews 13:2

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

Every day that passes is a potential day for Jesus to visit us.

Or have we forgotten that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit?

Matthew 25:1-13

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight a cry was heard:  ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise,

‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’  But the wise answered, saying,  ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.  Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying,  ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’  But he answered and said,

‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

As we look around our homes and our lives, how would we grade ourselves on preparedness for the Lord?

This is a deeply personal question, one that we should weigh through the lens of our opening Scripture.

Because we are not called to prepare for ourselves.

We are called to prepare for others.

Not to seek approval from others.

Not to show partiality between others.

But to reflect selfless service.

And sometimes?

That preparation might be as simple as having your favorite tea ready to share with Jesus when He arrives.