Our Faces Are Lit

The words we read during this time of Advent are challenging, at times, more than comforting.  As we begin this new church year, the words from Matthew 25:1-13 still lie at the forefront of our minds.  They are as confusing as the words from this Sunday's Gospel reading in Mark 13.  Why is this season constantly marked by warnings to "be ready?"  And how do these words of Mark connect with Matthew's parable of the ten young women?  And why are some passed over because their lamps were not ready?  Or they ran out of oil?  To take a step forward, we must first take a step back.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."  - John 14:1-4

Beautiful words of comfort.  And of hope.  These words are familiar to us for a variety of reasons, but mostly for Thomas' reply & Jesus' exchange afterwards.  But the words that Jesus quotes at that time are from a marriage proposal or "engagement" ceremony (for lack of a better descriptor).  At the time a man proposed to a woman - the man would propose and then leave the woman to go and make final preparations for their marriage and life together.  Finishing learning a trade, building or securing a home, and getting ready for life together.  There wouldn't be an exact timeline in the way our culture operates today or a means of instant communication to share as the preparations progressed.  A family member or friend would bring updates as preparations were underway.  Whether a few months or even up to a year later - the updates would continue to come.   Each drawing closer to the day.  Of course great plans would be made for the week long feast with family and friends.  And finally, the day would draw near where a loud and noisy procession would come to town.  But as you could imagine, there could easily be a delay.  The wedding mentioned in Matthew 25 is a bit different than one that we would have in American culture today.  Weddings in our day and time have a very precise schedule.  We know exactly what time photographs are supposed to be  taken, the DJ begins playing music, the processional entrance occurs and of course - the wedding itself taking place!  When we understand a little bit more about a culture that is not our own - the pictures changes from black & white to color (or from a digital signal to 4K).    When entering into this mindset, it helps us narrow the focus of what Jesus is saying and provides perspective.   

And so as we wrestle with Matthew 25 with that perspective, Dr. Kenneth Bailey also shares several important cultural notes.  As we ponder these ten young women who are waiting eagerly for the bridegroom to arrive, it seems that the sentiment "it's not fair" echoes in our hearts.  We are quick to jump to solutions - couldn't they just share a lamp?  Wouldn't even one lamp be enough for all ten young women to be able to see?  Again - it's critical to understand, the lamps mentioned are not used to light the pathway or ground you walk on.  The moon is bright enough to do that.  Rather, at that time, as you journey at night, the lamp is used to light your face so people can see who you are.  

In 2nd Corinthians, we read that Moses' face was required to be covered with a veil after meeting with God because it would shine so brightly.  The Shekinah Glory of God now lives in us through the Holy Spirit: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has sone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6) 

Maybe safe isn't the right way to describe what God is calling us to.  But we are human lanterns pointing to Jesus to the people and place God have called us to corporately and individually. What a joy and privilege that He has called us into the journey and to be a part of the story to share the Good News.  While the call to "be ready" carries weight, instead of hearing the words as admonition or a burden, what if we heard them as a promise?   The bridegroom has been preparing a place for us.  He will come back again and draw us to himself.  And so we eagerly await his return - to end pain and suffering and sin, we wait with joy and our hearts are not troubled.  For we know this great love He has been poured out for us on the cross.  And while we wait, we are called to be the Light of the World - proclaiming freedom so that all may be ready to enter into the great rest that has been prepared for us, both now, and that to come.