The Midnight Cry 

When last did you have a big event in your life that you had to prepare long and hard for? For some it would either be a big birthday you recently had or the trip of a life time you've been saving for. For others, it might be a wedding or a building project you've worked had to save towards. For me, it is the Masters of Theology in Scripture and Theology course, which I have been doing for three years on a part-time basis.  I know how hard I work to prepare for each module, including writing a 5,000 word essay after each module. It takes a lot out of me and its hard work. 

If you are into sports of any kind: Formula 1, Rugby Union and The Premier League, you will know that clubs prepare extensively for each season and each match. Their preparations will usually include signing the right players for each position, training tours, watching videos of their opponents and strengthening weak points in their squad. Preparation is essential for any meaningful endeavour.

There are significant events every human being needs to prepare for. Though they are natural, we sadly don't think or prepare enough for them. Old age for instance is a reality for all of us. I was once immortal, at least so I thought, when I was in my teens and early twenties. Now in my mid fifties, I don't feel immortal anymore. And as we get older and start approaching the autumn and winter periods of life, death becomes more and more of a reality. But how many of us prepare well for old age or death? The days and years can creep up on us so quickly, that’s why we must not procrastinate. We must learn to prepare.

Before Jesus died and rose again, he told his disciples three parables about "the end of the age". The first was the parable of the Ten Virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13). Now, we know parables have a central truth they convey and we must not press every detail in a parable too much to extract meaning. However, the fact they were all virgins with lamps filled with oil waiting for the bridegroom suggests they were not unbelievers. They were believers, waiting for the return of Jesus. The lamps were not transferable. Each person had to have their own lamp. One would imagine that five lamps between them should be enough for the ten to see, if the essence of the lamp is simply for illumination. But the thrust of the parable makes it clear that there is a requirement for each person to have a lamp with oil in them. This is akin to Christians having a personal faith. Salvation is personal. Another person's salvation or faith cannot save you. 

Five of the virgins were wise and took extra oil with them, but the other five were described as foolish and did not have extra oil. The bridegroom was delayed and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. "At midnight the cry rang out: Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" (Matt. 25:6, NIV). All the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The wise virgins refilled their lamps with their extra oil, but the foolish had no oil for their lamps. We must not think the wise virgins were wicked for refusing to share their oil. It was that the oil was not transferable. It was not possible for them to share. In the end, while the foolish went "at midnight" to look for extra oil, the bridegroom came, admitted the wise virgins and closed the door. The foolish virgins came back later, but it was too late, the door of opportunity had closed on them. 

Jesus was clear with his disciples about the meaning of the parable - "Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matt. 25:13, NIV). In saying we do not know the day or the hour, Jesus infers that readiness for his return is not just about a daily affair, but also an hourly affair. Put simply, we are called to always be ready. "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him." (Luke, 12:35-37, NIV).

This is a call right now to get ready for the midnight cry. When the midnight cry rings out, the door of opportunity will be closed. How ready are you for Jesus' return? Is that something you are preparing for? How should we prepare, and what does preparation involve?  These are all questions the Bible comprehensively answers.

To be continued...