The Passing of the Year

 

[Jesus said] “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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.’ 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. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:1-13 ESV).

 

I have heard more than a few folks say they can’t wait for this year to end. I must admit 2020 has certainly had more than enough difficulty and challenge for me. However, I wonder if 2021 is really going to be much different. If you listen to some of the news pundits, the outlook is for much of the same for at least the foreseeable future. Be that as it may, the New Year is coming. In just a few more days the year 2020 will come to an end. The passing of another year is a reminder that all of history will someday come to an end. God himself has set the clock of history, and at the point called midnight, the present age will end.

 

The passing of the year ought to be a stark reminder that God is in control, and when the clock of history strikes twelve, the Lord whose birth we just celebrated will come again. Of course I’m not talking about the mere turn of a calendar page. There is also a time scheduled when the final moments of time as we know it will expire. It is essential that we are ready for that moment.

 

In the parable of the ten virgins the Lord Jesus compares his second coming to a wedding. His coming again calls for a celebration, one that Christians eagerly anticipate. Those who know him as Lord and Savior have every reason to look forward to the day when he will come again. But knowing that he will come again requires preparation. We must be ready to meet him.

 

That’s where the foolish virgins missed the point. They made no preparations to meet the bridegroom. And when he came, they were left outside with the door shut in their faces. As you approach the end of another year, ask yourself, “Am I ready to meet God at midnight, whenever that may be?”