Dear Christian friends:

It is important to be prepared for life's exigences - tests in school and college, market fluctuations in business, changes in mid-life and old age. Recently there has been a great deal of emphasis on being prepared for the big earthquake which scientists predict is now overdue.

Important as these preparations are, they are pale when compared to the preparation we must make for the one great final event in history, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Our text is one of 2,163 references in the Bible regarding this cataclysmic event. In this parable of the wise and foolish virgins Jesus is lovingly pleading with us to

With this parable Jesus implies that his audience had been preparing for this great event, one way or another. He implies that it is possible to prepare and yet not be prepared.

I'm sure that most of us here this morning are also, in one way or another preparing for Jesus' Second Coming. We probably would not be sitting here now if we were not. The question is: are we preparing for it wisely or foolishly?

I. In mercy Jesus warns us to not prepare for it foolishly.

A. We prepare for it foolishly if we are content to have only a veneer of godliness, like the five foolish virgins.

1. We may be decent people who attend church regularly and observe Christian custom and traditions. We may even be pastors and teachers in the church or officers and leaders in the congregation, well respected.

2. But are we also people who see no need of repentance, like the unrepentant, unbelieving foolish virgins in our text?

Whose fault was it that the foolish virgins didn't get to go to the wedding celebration? Jesus indicates that it was definitely their own fault. After all, they were the ones who did not prepare properly. But is that the way they saw it? Can't you hear them yelling to the wise virgins as they leave to go to the store, "Well, if we miss the celebration it will be your fault, because you refused to share your oil with us?" Have you ever used that sly, devilish defense? It is very common among human beings. One bureaucrat in Washington D.C. in explaining how he survived in the dog eat dog atmosphere said, "When you get yourself in a bind, first, deny responsibility; then, find someone else to blame." Translated: "Whey you do wrong, first lie, then slander someone else."

Of course this creates divisions, chaos and paralyses government. What do you think it does when it happens in a congregation?

3. We may be good, respectable people, but there is a danger in being good and respectable because when we do wrong we often are too proud to admit it. Instead of telling our brother, "I was wrong; I'm sorry; please forgive me;" we become angry and defensive, denying our wrong doing, and blaming and slandering the brother or sister.

Transition: What's the good of joining the "virgins" in the wedding party, having the lamps, but no oil, and consequently no light? Are we not deceiving ourselves and others? Are we not living a lie? Are we not foolish?

B. We are indeed foolish because when Christ comes we shall be unmasked, just as these five hypocritical virgins were unmasked and were found to be not virgins, but spiritual prostitutes.

1. We are also foolish because when Christ comes it will be too late to make the proper preparations, just as it was too late for these foolish virgins.

2. In the parable we read, "While they (the foolish virgins) went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us." But he answered and said, "Verily I say unto you, "I know you not." (vv. 10-12)

"I know you not," the most terrible words we can hear from the only Savior of the world. What fools we are if we imagine that he knows us and we know him just because we have a veneer of godliness.

II. However, thank God, today we need not despair. It is still possible to prepare for his coming and to prepare for it honestly, wisely.

A. Our Lord has graciously prepared an ample supply of "oil" and the "store" is still open.

1. This is a way of saying that true faith must be created and nurtured by regular, sincere, salutary use of the Word and the Sacraments.

In Matthew 7, Jesus says, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." And what is the will of the Father in heaven? Jesus answers in John 6:40, "This is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up on the last day."

2. The Father, through Word and Sacraments, graciously reminds us that his Son, Jesus Christ, has atoned for all our sins, both our open and hidden sins, also our hypocracy and self-righteousness. He assures us that he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; that he yearns for the wicked to turn from his evil way and live. (Ez. 33:11) It is this goodness and mercy of God that invites us, poor miserable sinners, to repent.

3. The more we are aware of the deceitfulness and sinfulness of our hearts, the more we will yearn for God's mercy and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Then we will not merely go through the outward motions and ceremonies of the church bored and apathetic, but in true faith our heart, soul and mind will concur in every exciting, joyous deed. Then judgement will run down as water, and righteousness as a mighty stream! (O.T. Lesson) We will daily and humbly confess our sins and receive God's abundant forgiveness. We will be oiled or fueled by the precious Gospel. Then will our lamps burn brightly with his most holy light, and although the Bridegroom delays his coming, and although the night is dark and cold and times trying and even chaotic, our lamps will not go out, for we shall have his abundant supply of oil.

4. What a blessing it is to join the "wise virgins" in the celestial wedding party, having the lamps and the oil and consequently bright shinning light, which is in truth the righteousness and holiness of God in Christ! Although we are sinners by nature and by deed, are we not now holy? Although we have been spiritual prostitutes, are we not chaste virgins fit for the heavenly Bridegroom, without spot, or wrinkle or blemish or any such thing? Are we not blessed? Are we not wise? Are we not prepared?

B. We are indeed wise and prepared, because we have by the grace of God attended to that which is most important - our relationship to God in Christ Jesus.

1. Therefore Christ knows us as His own. He reassures us, saying, "Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine." Since He knows us, really knows us, we shall enter the heavenly marriage feast with Him. "They that were ready went with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." (v. 10)

The Bridegroom soon will call us,
Come to the wedding feast.
May slumber not befall us
Nor watchfulness decrease.
But may our lamps be burning
With oil enough and more.
That with our Lord returning,
We find an open door.
(L.W. 176 verse 1)

Amen