Sunday, November 12, 2023

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 5:18-24
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13

You are my help and my deliverer. Yahweh, don’t delay.

The Wisdom of Solomon is a deuterocanonical book that is not often found in the Bibles most of us use. It is considered intertestamental, having been written about the mid-first century B.C., most likely by a descendant of David. It was considered canonical in the second century, but it was not included in the canon of the Jewish scriptures which is why it is separated from other Old Testament texts. It was found in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and was included in the Vulgate (a fifth century Latin version of the scriptures.) The Church Fathers differed on their opinion about these books. Although considered authentic and valuable to read, they did not consider them canonical. Martin Luther separated the deuterocanonical books and placed them in a section called the Apocrypha. Though these texts are unfamiliar to us, some lectionaries include passages from those books. Though they are extra-canonical, they serve as additional insight into God and His people.

Today’s passage from the Wisdom of Solomon describes wisdom. “Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. He who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates. To fix one's thought on her is perfect understanding, and he who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought. The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her, and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality, and immortality brings one near to God; so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.” (Wisdom 6:12-20, RSV)

This text is appropriate for this week’s lectionary because in it we see wisdom defined, not only as a divine quality, but also as a characteristic of those who live in faith and trust in God. The wise virgins in the Gospel text had lasting hope, a faith that believed that even when it seemed impossible the bridegroom would come. They prepared for the late coming of the loved one. Paul wrote words of wisdom to a people whose hopes were fading. Their loved ones were dying despite the promise that Christ would come again. Why was He delayed? Paul reminded them that the promise is for those who believe in Christ, whether dead or alive and that Christ would bring all those of faith together in His day. We need only be patient.

We are reminded in the prophecy from Amos that the Day of the Lord will not look like we expect. We have to hold on to the hope that God’s promises are true. It is easy to fall apart when our expectations are smashed, and we are disappointed by what we see happening in the world around us. It is easy to fall into the temptations around us, to conform to the world, and to give in to our flesh. We need not be afraid of tomorrow, but we are reminded that God is looking at things much differently than we are. He does not accept worship that is not founded in a life of real sacrifice. He does not care about the blood of animals or the sweet-sounding songs if there is no justice. Righteousness is not something that can be worn like a mask but is a right relationship with the One who has promised to save His people. It takes the wisdom of God to establish and develop that kind of relationship. It comes from Him.

The people in Amos’s day were not living thankful. They were going to temple, singing hymns, and following the rituals, but they weren’t worshipping God with their lives. They were looking forward to the great and terrible day of the Lord. They were doing what they believed is right: going to the temple and the synagogue on the Sabbath, singing all the right songs and presenting all the right sacrifices. But they had lost touch with the God they claimed to worship. They were not pursuing justice or giving mercy.

The message Amos brought to them is one we need to hear also. We’ve forgotten to live thankfully. We are comfortable in our worship, attending services on Sunday but ignoring God in our daily lives. We are overlooking the needs of our neighbors. But God calls us to always walk in thanksgiving, not to offer sacrifices according to our duty or when we are seeking God’s blessing. He desires mercy, not sacrifice. He is looking for His people to live in faith, to go forth as a raging torrent, changing the world with justice and peace.

As much as we don’t want to admit it, Advent and Christmas are right around the corner. We will look forward to the future during the last few weeks of the Church year. That future is not tomorrow, or the coming holidays, or even the new year. The lectionary texts will look forward to the fulfillment of all God’s promises, the coming day of the Lord and the eternity that is ours by faith in Jesus Christ.

Some days it seems like we are racing toward the end of time.

There are as many ideas about the end times as people discussing them. Whole systems of theology have evolved around the study of eschatology, much of it with confusing language and troubling imagery. There have been charismatic leaders during every age that took their understanding of the end times to such an extreme trying to force God’s hand that whole communities have died. We can name several false “messiahs” in the last hundred years that have led their people to the grave following orders down a path of destruction and death.

Some people look forward to the end times with giddiness and expectation. They believe that they have it right and that everyone else is wrong. They believe that they will be among a small number of people saved, that they are a lonely remnant in the world that will be destroyed for lack of belief. They stand up against anyone that disagrees, often to the point of violence. The charismatic leaders have such control over their people that they are willing to even die for their sake. When the leader says “Drink this” they drink, believing that it will take them to heaven.

Some people think they can force God’s hand; “See God, we made everything ready for you. Come!” I confess that I cry “Come, Lord Jesus” on a regular basis. I have joked that it would be nice if Jesus would come so we wouldn’t have to worry about the struggles of our day like illness or elections. Some demand that God run on their schedule; they want to be the generation that will see the fulfillment of the promises. I wouldn’t mind seeing Jesus come on the clouds; I’m ready to dwell in God’s presence for eternity. However, no human being knows the mind of God so well as to direct God’s hand. We are called to trust in Him, not to test Him or make demands for God to satisfy our expectations, even when the circumstances do not go in our favor. Trust means believing that God is in control.

Amos says, “Woe to you who desire the day of Yahweh!” We have been reminded in the past few weeks that while we are saints with faith in God, we are still sinners in need of salvation. Eternity for us is both a present reality and a future hope, yet we have no reason to believe that the judgment that awaits us at the end of all days will be pleasant. We don’t deserve to be protected from times of trouble. We are just as guilty as our neighbor. All of us deserve to be left behind. Thanks to Jesus, we won’t be.

The more I study the psalms, the more I realize that the key to living life in this time and place is to be thankful, even when we face difficulty. The psalmists often lament their circumstances, but in most of the psalms they also praise God and thank Him for His mercy even before they see the answers to their prayers. They pray in confidence that God is in control. They often pray with the expectation that God will answer their prayers in their way, but they are always confident that God will answer according to His promises.

Charles Spurgeon wrote in a sermon for October 29, 1871, “Young painters were anxious, in olden times, to study under the great masters. They concluded that they should more easily attain to excellence if they entered the schools of eminent men. Men have paid large premiums that their sons may be apprenticed or articled to those who best understood their trades or professions; now, if any of us would learn the sacred art and mystery of prayer, it is well for us to study the productions of the greatest masters of that science. I am unable to point out one who understood it better than did the psalmist David. So well did he know how to praise, that his psalms have become the language of good men in all ages; and so well did he understand how to pray, that if we catch his spirit, and follow his mode of prayer, we shall have learned to plead with God after the most prevalent sort. Place before you, first of all, David’s Son and David’s Lord, that most mighty of all intercessors, and, next to Him, you shall find David to be one of the most admirable models for your imitation.”

Today’s Psalm has been ascribed to David, and it is generally agreed that it was written when David was in the later days of his life. David was a mighty king, but even mighty kings faced great difficulties. This is especially true when they are nearing the end of their lives. They are seen by enemies, both close and far away, as weak and unable to hold on to their kingdoms. David chose his son Solomon to be heir, but David’s other sons wanted the kingdom, too. Though Israel was threatened on all sides by foreign armies, the most difficult battles happened within the walls of his own palace. David’s sons fought against one another and against their father. Amnon raped Absalom’s sister, so Absalom killed Amnon. Absalom rebelled against David and was killed on the battlefield. Adonijah, as the then oldest son, expected to be heir but was rejected for Solomon. He tried twice to gain control but was eventually killed by Solomon.

It sounds like the script from a soap opera, but it isn’t unusual to hear stories about intrigue in royal houses. It doesn’t take much study into British history to see brother against brother and mother against son. Murder, adultery, greed, dishonesty, and war have been the part of all civilizations. The end justifies the means, and the end is always power.

But in David we see a man who learned what it meant to be humble, to turn to God in times of trouble, and to praise Him even if the circumstances seemed impossible to overcome. David is faithful and faith filled. We might not have someone close to us threatening our lives and our kingdom, but we all face times of difficulty and people who wish to see us harm. How do we respond? Do we turn to God and seek His guidance and deliverance? Or do we try to go forward on our own strength?

I once did a bible study on the word “seek.” I quickly learned that trying to read every incidence of the word “seek” in the scriptures was overwhelming, so my focus turned to the story of King Saul and King David. I found, not surprisingly, that every time Saul sought something, he was chasing David and his own self-interests. David, however, was always seeking God. That’s why Saul lost his anointing and David ended up with the blessing of the promise. Saul’s line would never last, but David’s would last forever. David was not perfect. The story of Bathsheba most clearly shows us his failures. The intrigue in his house and the battles between his sons was a fulfillment of the warning given to David because of his sins. David was imperfect, but he remained faithful through it all, looking to God and seeking His help. He is an example we can follow, remembering that we too are imperfect, but that God is present in our lives, ready to deliver those of us who praise Him in the midst of our troubles.

For some reason, the algorithm on my computer has been suggesting videos and ads for wedding dresses and other trappings of that big day in the life of a couple. I’ve been married for 35 years and do not expect to shop for these things anytime soon. Still, I have in the past enjoyed some of the television shows focused on weddings. The reality shows were sometimes helpful to those brides in the planning stages. Some taught them how to make the best of little. Others showed ideas that they could use. The most popular shows, however, were those that showed the crazy brides (and grooms!) whose expectations were unrealistic, who insisted on a wedding that was beyond their means and impossible to achieve.

“Bridezillas” took crazy to the extreme. The bridezillas really did believe the world revolved around them. They thought they were entitled to their perfect wedding, even if they couldn’t afford it. They expected everyone’s lives to stop so that they could take care of her every need. Bridesmaids even had to choose between the bride and their own life!

As the weddings grew closer, the bridezillas got more and more out of control. They got angry and upset. They kicked their friends out of the wedding and then got angry when the friends did not show up to make centerpieces. They manipulated parents and husbands-to-be out of cash and pity and complete devotion. They became so demanding that they brought out the worst in everyone else. As I watched, I often wondered if the wedding would ever happen. And when the wedding did happen, I often wondered if the marriage would last. The focus was always wrong. Instead of celebrating the union of two people, those weddings became a coronation for the bride. All too often they said, “This is my day.” I even heard some say that it had nothing to do with the groom. They forgot the purpose and lost sight of the real meaning of the big day.

The relationship between God and His people is described as a marriage and the coming of Christ as the wedding when the bridegroom (Jesus) comes to get His bride (the Church.) Like those charismatic leaders who controlled their people even unto death, many live in expectation of the Day of the Lord as a bride waits for her wedding day. Sometimes we respond like those bridezillas, with demands and upside-down expectations. We forget what it is all about. We forget who God is and what He has done for us. We look forward not to the fulfillment of God’s promises but for the fulfillment of our own desires. We lose sight of Christ and demand that God satisfy our demands.

The people in Paul’s day, perhaps even Paul, were getting nervous. They expected Jesus to return within their lifetime. They saw the second coming as an immediate response to what was happening, and every day that passed brought doubt and concern. The people who knew Jesus personally were dying. The first believers were passing away. Would Jesus come before they were all gone? Paul assured them that it did not matter. Those who were dead were not gone forever. Jesus would return, and all those who died in faith would be with Him at that trumpet sound. Paul shared his image of that day. It might not match our image, or even match reality when it happens, but like us he found comfort in wondering what it will look like. Many others have done the same. The image of Christ returning is a favorite of authors, artists, and film makers.

How do you see the coming of Christ? What do you think you will see on that day? Whatever your image, always remember, as Paul, that the promise is in Christ Jesus and that we will be with the Lord forever. As we think about His coming, let us do so in a way that encourages one another as we wait patiently for the Day of the Lord.

My husband is preparing to travel for a mission trip. The members of the team have been asked to limit their personal items to a carry-on bag so that they can take tubs fill of supplies for their week. I don’t know how they are doing it; I can’t go away overnight with a suitcase that fits in the overhead bin on an airplane.

I tend to over pack when we travel. I guess that’s why I prefer road trips: I have more freedom to take the things I might not need but really think I should have along “just in case.” You know how it is. I can’t be sure about the weather, so I pack clothes for hot and cold and wet. I take every possible health and hygiene product, even some I don’t ever use! There’s a cooler filled with snacks that we never manage to eat. I always take my own pillows. I take a bag full of things to fill the time in case I’m bored (I never am.) I pack an extra book, even if the book I’m reading is so long there’s no way I could finish it during the trip. We usually come home with unworn clothes and unused products, but I prefer to be prepared so I take it all. I was ready for every possibility.

Today’s Gospel story never really made sense to me, probably because I am an over packer. Who doesn’t ensure enough oil for the lamp? But then, who expected the bridegroom to take so long to arrive? There was no reason to think that they would need more oil than was in their lamp. There was no reason to plan ahead. Yet, five of the virgins did just that, they looked at the possibility that the bridegroom might be delayed. They prepared for the “just in case.”

Paul wrote that they expected that Jesus Christ would come immediately. They were all waiting anxiously, sure that it would happen in their lifetime. Some of the Christians struggled with doubt and frustration because their loved ones were dying, and Christ had not yet come. They were afraid that they would die, too. They thought that they were the generation that would see the fulfillment of the promise. Others have felt that way, too, in the two thousand years since Jesus was raised. It is terribly disappointing to our expectations to be smashed. It is easy to lose hope, but the Church has longingly waited for Christ to return.

There are those today who have the same expectations. They see the signs and interpret them to mean that we are in the end times. They live their faith as if we are the generation who will finally see the promise fulfilled. It is possible. We can look around our world and see the signs. But every generation since Jesus has seen signs. There are always those who lose hope because they interpret the signs to mean that now is the time and when it does not come as they expect they turn from the promise.

The oil in the lamp of the virgins is the hope we have as we wait for God’s time. Hope can die out, our light can dim, if we do not keep hold of the promise. That’s what the five wise virgins had but the five foolish virgins lost while they waited: they did not stand firm in the faith that the bridegroom would come, renewing their hope even when it seemed like He would never come. Our waiting is made so much more difficult when we face troubled times.

As we wait for the Day of the Lord, we may find ourselves attacked by those who appear to be living right and true lives, but who are not wise according to the ways of God. They are like King Saul, arrogant in his position and authority while forgetting the source of his blessing and power. We are called to be more like David, humble before God, seeking His face and being obedient to His Word. David is faithful and faith filled. The one who knows Wisdom is also faithful and faith filled. As we seek to know God, we will find Wisdom who will teach us and guide us in His ways. She will be vigilant and present in our thoughts and deeds. She is not hard to find, but as the writer of the Wisdom of Solomon says, “she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.”

What does it mean to be prepared for the coming of the Lord? What are your expectations for the end times? We begin to answer these questions by turning to God, seeking His guidance and deliverance, rather than relying on our own strength, knowledge, and expectations. What do you think you will see on that day? The important thing is to remember is that the promise is in Jesus Christ. Our hope is not that that Jesus will come at a certain time or do a certain thing; we hope in the promise that we will be with the Lord forever, whenever He comes.

As we look forward to His second coming, considering the apocalypse to come, we are called to encourage one another through the good times and the bad. Let us continually seek God, trusting in Him, rejoicing with thankfulness and gladness. The one who is prepared for that Day is the one who lives as if they have been blessed to be a blessing, praising God for all that He has done and dwelling in the hope that the bridegroom is coming!

God is looking for His people to live in faith. He blesses the humble and lifts up those who need Him. Instead of worshipping God with our rituals and offerings, let’s keep our eyes on God and rejoice in His promises, praising Him for all the blessings fulfilled and those that are still to come. The Day of the LORD will set us free to dwell with Him forever, even if it comes in a way we do not expect. As we wait with our eyes fixed on God, thankfulness will lead us to compassion, mercy, and generosity. We can pray and prepare for the coming of Jesus, but meanwhile let us live in thanksgiving each day, looking forward to the Day as it will be according to God’s good and perfect grace.