“If now I seek the forgiveness of sins, I do not run to the cross, for I will not find it given there… But I will find in the sacrament or Gospel the word which distributes, presents, offers, and gives to me that forgiveness which was won on the Cross.” (AE 40, 214)
St. Matthew 25:1-14 – Sunday of the Fulfillment
St. Mark Lutheran Church – Conroe, TX
Listen Here.
In the name of Jesus. Amen. Ten Virgins. Five prudent. Five foolish. All of them waiting for the Bridegroom. But, He was a bit later than they expected. They all fall asleep – both wise and foolish. Then, unexpectedly the call goes out – the Bridegroom is near. Time to trim lamps for his arrival!
The wise virgins have oil. The foolish are without oil. Can we borrow some? Sorry, we only have enough for us, go buy some more. The doors open, the wedding party begins.
The foolish virgins return from their shopping trip to a closed door. “Let us in,” they say.
“I never knew you,” says the Bridegroom. They are left outside where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Bridegroom has been late. Jesus' return here delayed. Some virgins have already fallen asleep. You may be getting a bit drowsy too. I know I am.
So, we of course are living wide-eyed, awaiting His return, right? No, not really. Most days we live as if He isn't coming at all.
Consider how we treat others. What goes wrong in our relationships is always...their fault.
If they acted differently, if they didn't do what they do, if they weren't so bossy, or mean, or didn't act so much like female dogs, then we'd get along. If they just didn't do dumb things, we wouldn't ever fight! If they just did what we ask them to do...if they just realized that we were more important than them... then everything would be peachy keen.
Really just them? Not at all us? Not more than a little bit us?
We'll stop that tomorrow. I'll change later, put off fixing things, quitting this sin or that sin. I'll get on those things another day. I'll spend less next month. I'll start going to Bible Class, or praying with my kids, or going to church starting tomorrow.
So, we go, each day, not a care in the world, daily and much, not repenting, not fearing His return. Each day spent as if we have no idea or care that there is a God whose Son not only died and rose again, but is coming soon.
After all, I mean, haven't you heard that it isn't a sin, if you don't get caught?
To this, Jesus says, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming”
That's you, that's me – that's everyone who lives as if Christ isn't really risen from the dead and coming in glory to judge the living and the dead.
And we don't just stop being foolish virgins when we decide to dedicate ourselves to being prudent and wise. That would be to trade no oil for bad oil!
The way out of foolishness is to repent. Repent today. Turn from your sins. Stop doing evil. Stop. Stop. Stop. Just stop.
Stop living as if Christ is not coming and as if you can get by on your own. You're guilty when you get caught. Your guild when you don't. Don't wait until tomorrow. Stop your sins now.
Then, before He comes, fill your lamps with oil. The lamps the virgins had were something similar to our altar lamp. We don't guess how much oil is in there or try to figure out how long we can keep it lit until it runs out. No, thank God, the altar guild fills it up regularly. There is never a point where they say, “There's probably enough oil in there to get by a little longer.”
You too. You need regular fill-ups of your oil. More Jesus, more forgiveness, more eternal life, more heaven in our ears, in your mouth, splashed on your foreheads in Baptism.
There is never a point in which you have enough forgiveness from Jesus or where He says, “Would you just go home, you've heard about the salvation I won for you on the cross enough today.”
No, the way of faith is the way of always more – always more forgiveness, more salvation, always more eternal life.
So, do you need any oil? Well, do you have sins? If you have sins, then you need more oil in your lamp. For He truly does have more forgiveness, more oil, than we could possibly have sins!
And if you still are awake – that means – well, do you still have a pulse? If you do, then there's still room to fill your lamp. Don't wait, fill it today. You never know when you might fall asleep.
By the way, that's why we have this altar lamp! We don't have it because it's neat looking and Old Testament-y looking.
We have candles in the church to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world so that we may be ever-watchful for His coming. That's why we light them.
But, that altar lamp with its flame always burning also signifies something in the church – it signifies that God's gifts, specifically His Supper, are here. It's always lit because you can always receive His gifts in this place.
Your oil comes from the Lord's gifts – His Word, His Washing, His Absolution, His Body and Blood given for you to eat in His Supper.
He gives, you receive. He's the Bridegroom who loved His bride, the church, so much that He would die for her. His life for her life. His death so that she would never die, only sleep and wait for His coming.
You are the prudent and wise Virgins, with lamps filled with His oil awaiting for His return. He gave up His life for you. Raised you with Him in Christ. Declared you without spot or blemish – holy. His own. His gifts which enliven you each day until you fall asleep and He comes again.
His gifts flow out to others – they need oil too. From your lamp, to their lamps. They need forgiveness, they need a break, they need help. They need the Jesus who forgives you to forgive them – whether they believe or not. As St. Paul says...
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thes. 4:9-10)
Forgive those around you. Have mercy on them. He had mercy on you. Comfort them. He comforted you.
The people around us aren't always the problem. A good look at your oil will tell you that you are the problem. Repent, and then comfort one another with the Words and promises of Christ.
I'm not asking you to leave church today like Mr. Scrooge going out and serving others. Those sort of moral Christmas stories are missing Christ.
No, your lamps have been filled with oil to await His coming. Jesus, whose birth we'll start preparing for in the Advent Season. He has forgiven you and comforted you. There is still time for you to tend to others, love them, care for them too.
So, come, fill your lamps with oil today at His table. His body broken for you. His blood shed for you. Forgiveness, eternal life, oil and then some given freely at His Supper.
The Bridegroom soon will call us, “Come to the wedding feast.” May slumber not befall us nor watchfulness decrease. May all our lamps be burning with oil enough and more. That we, with Him returning, may find an open door. (LSB 514,1)
In the name of Jesus. Amen.