reading for: 4 November

MATTHEW 25:1-13

Are we ready and waiting for Christ our Bridegroom?

• READ

The teaching of the wise and foolish maids builds on the previous teaching of the wise and foolish servants. Both parables illustrate the need to live in a manner that expects the return of the Lord, even when the return is delayed (24:48; 25:5), because wisdom means understanding the eschatological outlook of Jesus’ teaching and then living in a way that fits with the expectation of the fullness of the coming of God’s kingdom. Jesus is urging his disciples to live with such wisdom. To be ready is to be wise. And so in this parable disciples are urged  to be ready and prepared for the coming kingdom. The time is not known but it is certain. 

The banquet itself is symbolic imagery of the eschatological banquet. Wedding festivities typically lasted seven days, and the processions of the bride and groom marked the beginning of the joyous event. 

In this story, it is expected that the bridesmaids would await the arrival of the bridegroom and greet him with a procession of light. The bridegroom’s appearance is the sign for the festivities to begin. 

The bridegroom is delayed and because of this and the late hour, all the bridesmaids have fallen asleep. Their sleepiness is not the problem, since both wise and foolish alike have become drowsy. The wise brought extra oil for their lamps (verses 2-4). Both groups knew that the groom was coming and waited with their lamps burning, but only half considered that the wait in the darkness might be longer than anticipated. 

When all the maids were awakened at the announcement of the groom's arrival, they all set about trimming and preparing their lamps for the procession. To the horror of the foolish, though, they discovered that they would not have enough oil to keep their lamps burning. When the foolish were away making arrangements that should have been made already, the groom arrived. The procession occurred without the foolish bridesmaids, and the banquet began.

The foolish returned, ready for the processional. They knocked on the door of the house, but their entrance to the wedding banquet was denied by the groom. They missed the grand procession.

Although these bridesmaids were chosen to accompany the bride and groom, their role as bridesmaids did not guarantee them a place at the banquet. They had initially played the part of wedding attendants. They had waited with lamps lit, for a while, but they did not plan for the long dark time of waiting. As a result, they were shut out of the banquet. The maids' plea (25:11) recalls Jesus' warning that not everyone who cries "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven (7:21-23).

• REFLECT

How are you preparing yourself, your family and friends for the Lord’s return? What are some obstacles in your life that must be removed? What is the ‘oil’ that you will equip yourself with to keep vigilant and ready?

reading for: 5 November

JOSHUA 24:1-3a, 14-25

Is your household Ready to serve God?

• READ

  The tribes are about to embark on their new life, no longer as nomads, but now as permanent residents of the cities and farmlands of Canaan – the Land of Promise. In this passage, the nation is gathered at Shechem where at this crucial point of transition – they are to decide their allegiance and identity.

  From verses 2 to 13, Joshua starts by recounting Israel’s history and their journey with God. And since Yahweh has done all these things for them, the nation of Israel must now respond (v14 - 25). Are they ready to serve God or idols? 

  In verses 16 - 18 the people respond with “yes!” they will serve the Lord. However, Joshua challenges their sincerity in verses 19 – 20, insisting they are not able to keep their end of the deal, not able to live up to the demands of the covenant. The people reply that they will (v21). After further affirmations Joshua finally makes it clear that this is a moment of covenant renewal for the people. And “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day” (v.25). 

• REFLECT

  As the year comes to a close and we gear up for Christmas and a new year, take a few moments to recall your own encounters with God. Can you see Him at work in your life?

  Critically ask yourself where you are in your relationship with the Lord. Are you ready to serve him in the new year no matter what it holds? Will you be able to declare as Joshua did, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”?

reading for: 6 November

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

Are you Ready for his Return?

• READ

  What Paul shares in 4:13, is not new information for the Thessalonians. It is what they already know, what they already believe, and what they have already been promised. But the reimagining of the coming of Jesus is the comfort and consolation they need at this particular time in the face of death. It is important to note that Paul is not saying the community should not grieve. On the contrary, grief is the expected emotion when faced with the painful loss of a loved one. At the same time, the grief of the believer is grounded in and defined by hope. This interconnectedness of grief and hope is what distinguishes a Christian community from non-Christians. 

  As surely as God will bring those who have died, by the word of the Lord, those still alive will join them and will never go before them. The term translated "left" is used in Thessalonians 4:15 and 17 is the only reference in the entire New Testament. The coming (parousia; 2:19, 3:13, 4:15: 5:23) of the Lord is stated emphatically with the pronoun ("the Lord himself") and by the apocalyptic language that follows. The images are thoroughly apocalyptic (angel, trumpet of God, clouds), and it is important to remember that the primary function of this kind of language was comfort and encouragement in times of great distress or persecution.

  Next, what happens is the union of those who have died with those who mourn their passing. "God will bring with him those who have died," (v14) "and so we will be with the Lord forever." All will be "snatched up" ("seize," "carry off") toward a meeting with the Lord in the air. This is about comfort, which is the purpose of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. At the same time that Paul offers this amazing vision of consolation, it is already a reality within the community as they hold on to hope.

  The presence they were preparing for would be the ripened fruit of what they were experiencing, a time in which, finally, God would be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:27-28). They expressed their trust and hope in this future fullness by living daily with the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-13), by being built up in practices of love toward one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; see also 1 Corinthians 8).

• REFLECT

  What or who do you place your ultimate hope in? How can we encourage one another to keep our eyes on Jesus and to stay waiting for his return without getting sucked into the cares of this life?

reading for: 7 November

PSALM 78:1-7

Is our next generation Ready to live as God’s people?

• READ

  In this psalm, the main point is to urge obedience to God’s commands, and to warn of the disastrous consequences that follow from disobedience. It is intended to ground members of the community in the ancient conviction that they are part of God’s covenantal people. The focus is on the next generation which must be taught with necessary instructions who they are and what it means to belong to God’s people. 

  This is so that the children should “hope in God” who does wonders, gives decrees and commands. This instruction will fight against despair which makes the young an easy target for other false hopes that the world offers. 

  Intentional instruction of the next generation will also ensure they remember the “works of God”. These stories are not about Israel’s achievements but about God’s overwhelming gifts to Israel. It will combat forgetfulness. 

  The children should also “keep his commandments”, living lives of responsible obedience, turning enemies into neighbours and living in joyous intimate relationship with God. 

• REFLECT

  This urgency of instruction is crucial in the life of many churches today. We are illiterate about the defining traditions that give the church its life and power. To be a strong church we need to have a constant memory of God’s working and will in CNL and to live in accordance to his calling for this time and season. 

  Do you know the CNL story? Can you remember God’s faithfulness to this church family? What is your role and place in this local body of Christ? How will you live in accordance to his calling?