Joshua 24:1-3,14-25; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Matt. 25:1-13; Psalm 78
November 8, 2020
Lloyd Penner
Joshua is old and he knows he will die soon. He calls the people of Israel together for some last words. He says, “you are continuing to worship the gods of your ancestors and the gods of the Amorites who live nearby while also trying to worship Yahweh (the Lord)”. This can’t continue Joshua says. It’s time to decide who your God is. In the eloquent words of the King James version, Joshua’s powerful words have echoed through the centuries. “Choose you this day whom you will serve. But as for me, and my house we will serve the Lord.” We also face a choice. The gods of our world come in many forms. Can we say with Joshua, “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord?” It is important that we are clear in our hearts and minds about what our spiritual path is.
In the Matthew passage, we have another story about the importance of choice. Ten bridesmaids are waiting for the bridegroom so they can go into the wedding banquet together. Five of them have brought extra oil along for their lamps in case the bridegroom is delayed and their lamps would go out. The other five bridesmaids have chosen not to bring extra oil. Sure enough, the bridegroom is delayed and so when he arrives the five foolish bridesmaids have run out of oil and they are not allowed into the banquet. They made the wrong choice and this had major consequences. The lesson Jesus says is “Keep awake therefore for you know neither the day or the hour”.
Jesus is referring to “the day of the Lord”, a term found in other Biblical passages and in the apocalyptic literature that was popular in the time of Jesus. The term meant that a time was coming when God would intervene decisively in human history. Jesus often used this term to mean the time when the Kingdom of heaven (also called the Kingdom of God) will be fully revealed and implemented on earth and in heaven. When this day comes the words that we often pray in the Lord’s Prayer will be fulfilled and God’s will will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.
The early Christians picked up this term and applied it to the Second Coming of Jesus sometimes called the rapture which was expected very soon. This is the theme of the Thessalonian passage. Paul wants to reassure them that believers who have died won’t miss out on the Second Coming but together with those who are still alive will be with the Lord forever. What really interests me is the verses that follow. Paul tells the Thessalonians not to spend any time wondering about when the Day of the Lord will come because it will come when people are least expecting it. Their job as believers, as children of the light, was to be alert, to be awake. What was important was that they continue to choose the path of faith and love which will bring salvation. The Day of the Lord, whatever it is or whenever it happens is nothing to worry about because as Paul says we will be with Jesus. Paul closes with words that are also meant for us, “Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another as indeed you are doing.” Amen.