Waiting

 

[Jesus said] “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 25:5-13 ESV).

 

If you have known me for any time, you also know how much I love the outdoors. Some of my favorite memories have been made in the fall of the year, sitting in a tree overlooking the rolling landscapes of trees that have lost their leaves. The picture I’ve chosen to attach today was taken in Tennessee one cool November morning waiting for the sun to rise. When it did, I was captivated by the beauty I saw. I was deer hunting, and though I saw several deer that day, I didn’t shoot. I spent my time waiting and watching. Of course, I was prepared to shoot; it just didn’t seem like the time to do so. Most of my hunting is like that.

 

The act of waiting is not uncommon for any of us. We wait in so many places and circumstances. I remember hearing a story not long ago from a news show describing how people waited for hours in the rain because they’d heard a rumor that a famous entertainer would give a surprise concert that night. Another host told of a time he’d been in an amusement park when a ride was delayed by mechanical problems. Even though the people in line knew it could take hours, not one person moved out of the line.

Sometimes during Advent we forget that people will wait. We think we must build anticipation to get people ready for Christmas. We fear that without it many will be unprepared, like the unwise maidens in Jesus’ parable. But the long lines of people who greet the opening of the doors to the stores on Black Friday remind us that people will wait if the promise is good enough.

 

How much more we should anticipate the coming of God’s kingdom! Jesus compares the kingdom to a wedding feast, a great banquet, or the return of a king. When Jesus comes again, our deepest hopes will be realized and our greatest sorrows will be eased. What’s more, God has shown us this in the life of Jesus and allows us to taste the joy of his kingdom even now. Jesus has come, and he will come again!