Devotion for Friday after Advent 3

advent-calendar_alenaifMatthew 25:1-13 (NASB)
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

 

In this parable of the ten virgins, Jesus reminds us that we do not know the day or the hour of His coming. Like the wise virgins, we need to be ready so we aren’t left behind when Jesus comes again. To get ready, we need to examine our hearts and ask Jesus to cleanse us and wash away our sins. We must not live as the world lives, but live as holy people—set aside for God’s purposes.

 

Holy God, cleanse our hearts, wash away our sins, and guide us by the Holy Spirit to live for You and not the world. Help us to be ready when Jesus returns, whether it is tonight or far into the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Image: © Depositphotos.com/alenaif

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