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Faith Talk

From the desk of Pastor Jeff Pflug

November 2006

A Time Yet to Come

read Matthew 25:1-13

The Lord of the Church took time to teach His disciples about a time yet to come. Jesus speaks of His Second Coming this way in Matthew 25: There is a Bridegroom. This Bridegroom sacrificed his life for his beloved bride. He died an atoning death. Holy blood was shed. The place was the cross of Calvary. Death was and is thus defeated by the Savior's death. Jesus, Who is the Bridegroom, swallowed it up! He rose from the dead, no more to die.

The dead yet now resurrected Bridegroom ascended into heaven. On the earth His bride waits for him to return. The Bridegroom seems delayed, but He is not. His promise is certain. He will return again. Thus His bride, who is the Church ... waits. She is confident and full of faith while she waits, because her Lord is gracious. Only wait for Him. Wait for Him in hope. Wait for a joyous time yet to come.

The joyous occasion is the our Lord's Second Coming!

While she waits, the Savior bids that His bride be wise. In His parable (Matthew 25:1-13) what does He say? He says there are 10 virgins, 5 wise and 5 foolish. The wise have oil ready for the lamps. The foolish do not.

His meaning is not mysterious. It is plain and simple. The lamps of the virgins represent their faith. The oil represents our Lord's Word and Sacraments. The fuel of faith is the Word of God and the frequent reception of His body and blood. Without these, faith slowly is snuffed out. The lamp becomes dim, and then goes dark.

Yet the Savior's word remains forever true. He will return. This word give us hope, for we live in a darkened world. Half of our day is literally dark. Who among us drives at night without our lights on? If you do, please call when you're going out for a drive. I'll stay at home.

These things taught by Jesus are simple and plain. Christ says He's coming again. The given time in the parable is midnight. It's pretty dark at midnight. One needs a lamp to see. How can one greet the Bridegroom when you have no light?

Don't you see what the Lord is teaching? I know you know. He tells of great things and, at the same time, is giving His people a warning. The great thing is that when He comes again, that Day will be a festive day for those prepared. Those prepared acknowledge their sin. They do not deny it. They do not blame others. They do not claim they are innocent, not before God. They stand guilty, and yet they look to their Bridegroom who gave His life a ransom for all, who is ascended into heaven, and who will return in glory.

Yet while we wait, life can get pretty dark. Life can look pretty hopeless. The wise remain prepared in life and for the sake of the life to come ... the wise are prepared by Word and Sacrament. The foolish stay away.

Brethren, this parable is meant to prepare us for the Lord's Second Coming, for a time yet to come. Devoted to His Word and Worship we are made ready for His Second Coming. Such preparation makes us ready to serve the Savior. Fed with the forgiveness of sins we are ready to serve those around us ... after all, this is why He has given us life and breath.

So God bless you all as you wait for a time yet to come. I hear it comes at a strange time ... at midnight. Let your lamps be filled with oil. Then they will burn brightly, and be a light unto your path ... all the way until you see the Savior, face to face, on the Great Day, a day yet to come!

- Pastor Pflug

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

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