The price of everything has been rising, and sooner than later, we will run short on essentials. The good news is that the cost of essential oil for your lamp — remains the same. What? Gas and oil for your car is rising, the cost of food is rising — but God’s Word is FREE! It is extremely important that we spend our most valuable resource — our time — with Jesus. “Pay careful attention to how you walk — not as unwise people, but as wise — making the most of the TIME, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

With full permission and admonition from God, go ahead and irritate some folks by how much time you spend in prayer and reading your Bible. In 2023 we must spend all the time we can —abiding “in Him” while loading up on oil. Both the wise and the foolish have memorized lyrics to their favorite worship songs, but the wise have more oil in their lamps because they have spent more time in the living and active Word of God. It is time to cry out to Jesus and to repent of our lack of discernment for how we have been spending our time. We all know honest people who confessed they needed a Savior, but they remained the same. Salvation is a FREE exchange, but there is a COST — for those who confessed and died to themselves, we gladly sacrifice all else for more time with the One who gave His life for us. In these final days it is time to get raw and real with Jesus, with the One who opens and closes the doors to eternity. When the Groom comes at midnight will He find you sleeping without sufficient oil? The wise, the folks who spent time in the Spirit went into the wedding banquet with Jesus, then the door was shut. The difference between the foolish and the wise is spelled out in Matthew 25:1-13. In most churches the grace of God is over emphasized. Yes, we were saved by grace, but like the first followers of Jesus, sacrifice is required to be counted worthy to enjoy the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. When Jesus said “Follow Me” those who said yes had to learn to say NO to their old ways. They sacrificed everything. Their time, health, reputation as they gave up comforts to live in tents while going about heling the sick, sharing the good news and casting out demons. In 2023 God’s Word is the same, and it is very clear. Ephesians 5:18 “Don’t get drunk on wine (cleaning, shopping, posting, or pleasing others) which leads to reckless actions (wasting time on worthless things). BUT, be filled by the Spirit: speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.”

Commentary on Matthew 25.When the bridegroom comes, He expects to see the bride-maids, the greeting party attending to the bride, His church. They wait with torches lit, eager to meet the Bridegroom. Some ask why Jesus described ten virgins and not another number. Reportedly, Talmudic authorities said there were usually ten lamps in a bridal procession. It was a common size of a wedding party. “The point is not these girls’ virginity, which is assumed, but simply that they are ten maidens invited to the wedding.” (Carson)  The wedding party went to meet the Bridegroom: The wedding party (the ten bridesmaids) waits for the coming of the Bridegroom for His bride, the church. The foolish virgins appeared to be ready for the bridegroom, because they had their torches in hand. But they really were not ready, because they took no oil with them. “It is apparently a torchlight procession, the lamps probably being ‘torches’ (of oil-soaked rags wrapped on a stick) rather than standing lamps, which are described by a different word in Matt 5:15 and Matt 6:22. The word used here regularly means ‘torch’.” (France) “Their torches consisting of a wooden staff held in the hand, with a dish at the top, in which was a piece of cloth or rope dipped in oil or pitch.” (Bruce)  Oil in their vessels: The wise maidens had an extra supply of oil. “To see the bridegroom as Jesus is warranted Matthew 9:15. A bold portrayal for Jesus to use, as the Old Testament frequently describes God (not the Messiah) as the Bridegroom, and Israel as the bride Isaiah 54:4-6. Jeremiah 2:2. Hosea 1:3. (France) Our Father warns us firmly, we are without excuse. “But if you do not obey Me and observe all My commands…IF in spite of these things you do not accept My discipline, but act with hostility toward Me, then I will act with furious hostility towards you.” Leviticus 26:16-27 Obedience has a cost.

This is a relevant Word that was given to the youth in Stockton, California on Sunday January 29, 2023 at LifeSong Church. Listen up with your Bibles open to Matthew 25.

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