Text: Matthew 25:1-13
To remind us: Fred Rogers recalls the time when he was a little boy that his mother assured him: Remember, Fred: whenever there is trouble, look for the helpers. There will always be helpers.
Have you ever been driving in the car and had the “Check Engine” light on the dashboard light up? Or what about that little icon that says you need to check the oil?
I’m not sure if this is politically correct, but there was a time when these dashboard symbols were called “Idiot Lights”. The suggestion here was that the person who was driving the vehicle had not don
e their due diligence when it came to maintaining the vehicle. If they had been smart the problem would not be presenting itself. The other factor that would weigh heavily in the matter is that, should one of these lights come on, you needed to get immediate attention. Stop driving the car. Pull over!
It wasn’t the “Check Oil” symbol that popped up on a recent trip to Connecticut. It was the “Check Engine” light. I was 250 miles from home. My time was limited. When I go to Connecticut it is for the purpose of running interference with the grandchildren for my son-in-law while my daughter is away. When I am not helping with children I need to be working – phone calls, blogs and sermons to write. I didn’t want to spend the day at a gas station. So, with that light flashing, suggesting I was drawing perilously close to Mordor I made a command decision. I decided to ignore it. I headed back to Vermont. I figured I could always call Triple A.
That’s a service the five “foolish bridesmaids” or “virgins” did not have access to.
The text in Matthew is speaking specifically about a time in the future. The wedding is a metaphor for the Coming of Christ. Jesus is the bridegroom. The bride is not specifically identified. The sense of the story suggests the bridesmaids represent those listening to Jesus – the disciples. The disciples, we are told, had come to Jesus privately. They wanted to know when would be the culmination of his ministry. What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? they asked him.[1]
I suspect the reason they asked for this information is because they did not want to miss it. They wanted to be prepared. What is the light that will flash on the dash hoard of our lives to warn us of your imminent return? And so, one of the stories Jesus tells is this one, with an emphasis on those who are not prepared.
Because this is a story told to his disciples in private – presumably the Twelve – we need to exercise some care before we expand the meaning to everyone. The “Twelve” are those called by Christ to partner with him in his ministry in a specific way. That being said, anyone who wonders about such things as the fulfillment, the culmination of Christ’s ministry should heed Jesus’ words.
Last week we referenced two sayings: God helps those who help themselves. And God helps those who know they are helpless. Both sayings have a thread of truth in them. And maybe they are actually sending the same message.
So …Remembering that one story is not the sum of all of Christ’s teachings, I don’t want us to assume that none of us need the help of others or that we are never called upon to offer help to others. We will talk more about that in a couple weeks. With that being said, the focus of this story is on what we need to do for ourselves that no one else can do for us.
When the “Check Engine” or “Check Oil” lights come on, it’s up to us what to do and how to proceed. If you blow your engine because you did not heed the warnings, don’t blame Ford, or GM, or Toyota or Honda.
On this idea of what you can only do for yourself, I’m reminded of what looks to be a discrepancy in the gospel tradition. Mark, Matthew and Luke all tell us that Jesus had assistance carrying the cross.[2] John, on the other hand, states rather emphatically that Jesus carried his own cross.[3] Interesting efforts have been made to reconcile these texts. Raymond Brown offers the reasonable solution that Jesus carried the cross as long as he was able, and when he couldn’t carry it anymore, Simon of Cyrene was pressed into service.[4]
Perhaps more important than the details of whether Jesus went the distance carrying his cross alone or with assistance, is the self-awareness that Christ had. The son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed…[5]
And when his closest friends tried to protect him, he told them: Get behind me!
Jesus walked that lonesome valley; and he had to walk it by himself.
This story of the ten bridesmaids is not a threat. It is a statement of fact. There are some things we have to do for ourselves. And not even God can do them for us. We might ask: Why didn’t those with extra oil share with those who had none? After all, wouldn’t that be the Christian thing to do?
But “Christianity” as it manifests itself in spiritual discipline is not always a team sport. No pastor or priest; no book or bible verse – not even a cosmic savior can do for you what you are destined or called to do by and for yourself.
In a sense, we are healthiest when first and foremost we Look for the help needed within.
Think for a moment … When tempted to judge others what does Christ instruct? First, judge yourself.[6] A cursory review of the Sermon on the Mount is testimony to the extent to which Jesus tries to show us that instead of complaining about anyone else we need to mind our own business. We are ill equipped to remove splinters from others eyes whilst walking around with logs in our own. As if to telescope this text in Matthew 25, we read in Matthew 7 that Not everyone who says: “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only the one, teaches Jesus, who does the will of my Father.
Do you remember how that text concludes? Though many say “Lord, Lord,” and claim to have prophesied and done many deeds in the name of the Christ, he will say to them: I never knew you. Go away from me. [7]
There is an interesting spiritual paradox in all of this. The more honest we are with ourselves about ourselves, the more apt we are to come to the realization that we need “saving”. Criticizing others, and complaining about others who don’t meet the expectations we have set for them – that’s a distraction that all too frequently captures us.
When we hear ourselves saying: They should do “thus and such” … perhaps we would better use our breath asking: What am I called to do?
From the sentimental to the sublime there is an intensely personal quality which makes some of our hymns and prayers memorable and, in their own way, relevant in every time.
If I sing: “Let there be peace on earth …” what is the next line? (“And let it begin with me.”)
“Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: to live each moment in peace … let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”
Lord, make who? an instrument of thy peace … Make me an instrument.
The fact of the matter is that it’s not really the bridegroom who shuts the door on those five bridesmaids. They shut the door on themselves.
We don’t experience the kingdom of heaven by universal consensus. We experience it through individual commitment. The good news here must be heard; and that good news is this: No one can prevent you from experiencing the love of God, the power of grace, the liberation of forgiveness, the blessing of the presence of Christ – no one can keep that from you … no one except yourself. And no one can give it to you other than God who gives it to us liberally.
I know it is too early for Christmas, but this story tells it so well that I want us to see a glimpse – and warning: Spoiler Alert. If you have never seen How the Grinch Stole Christmas, you should cover your ears and eyes.
Here is an individual whose life was dedicated to taking joy from other people. And upon stealing every present from under the tree – and then stealing the tree itself; after taking every snack – and even the Roast Beast – the Grinch was certain he had thwarted Christmas. Every physical sign of preparation had been removed. On Christmas morning he listened from his high perch, awaiting and expecting to hear cries of lamentation. Let’s watch what happens…
Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eulSbXIjzk)
How could it be so?
It came without ribbons it came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
He puzzled and fussed till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more.”
Perhaps, and just maybe … Jesus tells this story with the fervent prayer that no one would shut heaven’s doors on themselves – not when he comes in glory … and not as it blesses us here and now.
—
[1] Matthew 24:3
[2] Mark 15:21; Matthew 27:32; Luke 23:26.
[3] John 19:17.
[4] Raymond Brown – Anchor Bible Commentary, Vol 29A: The Gospel According To John. Published by Yale University Press. © 1970. Page 899.
[5] Mark 8:31ff.
[6] Matthew 7:1ff.
[7] Matthew 7:21-23.
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