I remember Pastor (Dr.) Bruce Schein in New Testament Studies class in our first year of Seminary telling of the practice that still happens in and around Jerusalem around wedding parties - how the game is still played the night before of bridesmaids vs. groomsmen around a mock "kidnapping" or "elopement". This game of relationship capture the flag is part of the celebration of bringing lives together.
The longer the wait, the more oil is used.
We have waited a long time for the arrival of our Bridegroom to fetch this bride, the church.
There must have been great anticipation in the First Century, as followers of Jesus awaited His return.
Perhaps then, having been disappointed with the continuation of Rome's occupation and oppression, and the collusion of the King and Temple Cult leaders of the time with the Romans, Jesus would come and truly fulfill the deliverance from this abuse that so many saw as Jesus' promise. They were ready. But were they prepared?
They were ready to have their freedoms and livelihoods restored for them. They were ready for the intentionally induced poverty to be ended in the land, the corruption of justice ended and the abuse of scapegoated segments of society to be ended. They were ready to govern themselves without empire's control looming over them. They were ready to have peace restored and conflict ended. They were ready for justice and equitability to be restored so that peace (shalom - well-being, wholeness, completeness) would be possible for ALL people. But perhaps they were not prepared for it in their lives in the ways they were living them.
They were not prepared for the long haul. They wanted it immediately.
Perhaps they were not prepared to change their thinking and follow Jesus' way of being in order to
welcome God's Kingdom come.
Some were not prepared to give up the little personal gains they received from empire, by colluding,
cooperating or being in silent compliance with its oppression of self and others.
Some were not prepared to use their resources to help others who did not have enough and were not
prepared.
Some were not prepared to look for Jesus coming to them when they would least expect it.
This Bridegroom's coming is to be a celebration in a world dominated by empire, especially for any
who profess to believe in Jesus and His Good News.
It is something to be anticipated with excitement and anticipated joy.
We should be ready for His coming to us.
But we should also be prepared now for it.
We need to prepare our hearts and minds for His coming.
We need to submit to Jesus' teachings, commands and examples on how to live in this part of God's
Kingdom, as we have them given to us in the Gospels.
We need to perfect our living of Agape Love and Grace in the world around us, thus preparing others
around us for God's Kingdom come.
We need to prepare the way of the Lord. Still. Always.
The truth is that Jesus comes to us TODAY.
The Holy Spirit points to the Christ coming into our hearts, minds and lives everyday.
Are we prepared to receive Jesus today?
Will we have enough illumination to see Jesus when He comes to us today?
Will the lights be on?
Will we have prepared our hearts, minds and lives for His coming to us?
Where, when and in a guise that we may least expect to experience Jesus?
Will we feed Jesus, clothe Jesus, welcome Jesus, visit sick and imprisoned Jesus as Jesus comes to us
among "the least" among us - the poor, the stranger, the most vulnerable?
Will we receive Jesus as He comes to us - Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, Buddhist?
Will we receive Jesus as He comes to us - black or brown, Asian, female, LGBTQ?
Will we receive Jesus as He comes to us?
Are we prepared today to do that?
We believe we are ready for Jesus to come to us.
Some of us pray for it more earnestly now than ever before.
But are we prepared for His coming to us today?
Are you prepared in your heart, mind and spirit for His coming to YOU today?
Pastor Jamie
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