QT 4/13/2022 Matt 25:7-13, Knowing versus pretending

 

Matthew 25:7–13 (ESV) — 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

 

NOTE: This statement "Truly, I say to you, I do not know you" occurs in another passage where the individuals claim to have done all these good works in Jesus' name, and his reply is the same. This is the key point of Christianity. It is a relationship, not a religion. It is not what you do that saves you but who you know. And the only person who can save is Jesus, as he says:

 

John 14:6 (ESV) — 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

The danger in much of Christianity is that there are too many birds in the tree branches.

 

Matthew 13:31–32 (ESV) — 31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

 

The problem is that the birds (depicted in the previous parable) are not helpful nor are they believers.
 

Matthew 13:3–4, 19 (ESV) — 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. … 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

 

Our churches are full of people who truly do not believe the gospel. They do not believe the bible is the complete authoritative word of God, and they are busy snatching up the seeds so that people cannot know the truth and have a relationship with Jesus.

 

PONDER:

1. What will Jesus say to me? Do I truly know him or am I just religious? Do I love him enough to meet with him every day and allow him to shape my life for his service?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for revealing truth to those that know you. Thank you for how you speak to me through your word. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and how it shows me truth in your word.