Keep Awake

We all know that Jesus is coming back to earth to establish the kingdom of God. The day or hour is not known – neither Jesus nor the angels knew. Jesus told the parable of the Ten Virgins to show that some of the disciples today won’t be ready to meet him when he comes. So there is a need to be ever watching and prepared to meet him.

Reading the parable carefully, we note that the virgins were not preaching, watching or praying while waiting for the Bridegroom to come. They were all asleep until the cry, “Here is the Bridegroom – come out to meet him!” (Matt.25:6) It’s dangerous for a disciple to be in a state of slumber spiritually. Jesus says, “Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can open the door for him. (Luke 12:36) What are we doing to keep the Word of God burning in our hearts so that when Jesus comes he will find us ready for him?

Prayer is closely linked to watching (Luke 21:36). Prayer is a privilege a disciple has – a privilege of talking to their Creator. Prayer makes us strong – for spiritual refreshment a disciple should depend on prayer. Any disciple whose spiritual progress is low must check his praying habits. How often does he pray? Jesus advises us to pray all the time.

It is not good to keep the Scripture knowledge we have gained to ourselves. We must share it with those who lack it. We can do this through preaching to neighbours, or publicly. Our duty is to make followers for Jesus and to prepare people for the Kingdom of God in the same way Jesus prepared his disciples for the twelve thrones promised them for their faithfulness. If we keep on doing this we shall not go to sleep spiritually, we shall be ready and prepared to meet our Lord when he comes.

Bro. Likando ILishebo (Livingstone, Zambia)