Sexagesima Week – Friday
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh. — Matthew 25:13.
On Tuesday evening, after He had been beset by His enemies all day long, Jesus sat with His disciples on the western slope of the Mount of Olives, facing Jerusalem. And there He spoke with them at great length about His coming again to Judgment. And this was the burden of all His discourse: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.”
This is meant for us, too, as we also are His disciples. We must do as the virgins did, the companions of the bride, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom, not like the foolish virgins, who took their lamps, but took no oil with them. Not only the name, not only the outward demeanor of Christians must be found with us; we must not merely profess allegiance to Christ and to His Church; no, our hearts must be filled with faith, with faith in the Savior, with faith which makes us the Savior’s own, with faith which the Holy Ghost, through His Word, gives, increases, strengthens, and sustains.
True, it may be that we become drowsy when the bridegroom delays to come, for our heart, which holds faith’s treasure, is but an earthen vessel. Many Christians have slept the sleep of death while looking for Him in hope. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The time to get ourselves ready for Christ’s Second Coming is now, during the day, while we’re awake, and before “the night cometh, when no man can work,” as Jesus says in John 9:4. And yet, if only faith is there when the cry is made, “Behold, the Bridegroom comes!” our faith will not be surprised, but it will be aroused, and brightly will its light shine, and gladly will it hail the Savior, and we shall go in with Him to the heavenly marriage-feast. But he who has no faith, his light will then be out, and the door will be shut for him forever.
By God’s grace, let us continue to be those who are spiritually wise, who have obtained a sufficient supply of oil to light our lamps at the arrival of our Bridegroom, and shine as the stars of heaven (Daniel 12:2-3). “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh” (Matthew 25:13).
PRAYER. Lord Jesus, Shepherd and Keeper of my soul, so govern me through Thy Word and Thy Holy Spirit, working through Thy Word, that the oil of true faith in Thee be ever found in the frail vessel of my heart, and that I may continue to be ever watchful and wakeful, in order that I may neither fear nor faint when Thou, O heavenly Bridegroom, comest, but together with Thee, may joyfully enter the marriage-feast of eternal life, and, by Thy grace, obtain eternal salvation. Amen.
Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear!
The evening is advancing, and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising, and soon He draweth nigh;
up, pray and watch and wrestle! At midnight comes the cry.
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Our Hope and Expectation, O Jesus, now appear;
arise, Desire of nations, o’er this benighted sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see;
the day of earth’s redemption, that brings us unto Thee!
(Hymn 72, st. 1 and 4; TLH)