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for yourselves

Matthew 25:6-9
"6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves."

Our study series leading up to Easter is titled "Lift High the Cross." Yesterday we began the ten virgins parable told by Jesus to teach His followers to be READY for His return. The first hearers of this lesson knew exactly what Jesus was teaching. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones. The lamps in their hands is the profession of their FAITH. The Bridegroom is our Lord and Savior and the Bride is the church. 

Ysterday's verses set up that there were ten virgins, half were WISE, and half were FOOLISH. "THEY ALL slumbered and slept." While waiting for the Bridegroom to return. Which happens in today's verses; "And at MIDNIGHT there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." This RETURN is LATER than the virgins expected. If the final Advent were to happen tonight we can easily say that it's LATER than expected. 

"Then ALL those virgins arose, and TRIMMED their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, GIVE us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." Up and until this moment both the foolish and wise looked the same. Now, as the bridegroom returned, it became obvious that the five foolish virgins did not have enough in their lamps to go past midnight. Their FAITH is running out of "gas." The foolish are bold enough to ask for the gift of oil from the wise...

"But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." This moment of truth is a TEST. The foolish are asking to cheat on the test. The wise are smart enough to not let them. The wise recommendation is for the foolish to get their oil honestly. To not be foolish one needs seek out pastors and teachers of the Holy Scriptures and do everything we can the learn about GOD and His mysterious ways.

The good parts of these daily devotionals are inspired by the sermon at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg Texas. You can watch it by following this link... https://youtu.be/X3X77poF9v0
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