Do we live lives that are shaped by the expectation of Christ’s return?

This may sound similar to a cultic belief that some groups hold on to. To be prepared for Jesus’ second coming, the adherents live lives focused on the coming event deliberately leaving behind earthly concerns and so-called worldly desires.

But as believers, are we not also expected to live lives that show our faithfulness to Christ by sharing in Christ’s mission so that when Christ returns, we will not be found lacking not only in faith but also in our actions? Isn’t it that our the kind of lives we live and the work that we do are supposed to be fruits of our faith?

Perhaps this is what the parable of the ten bridesmaids is teaching us. The parable talks about ten bridesmaid who are to wait for the coming of the bridegroom and take part in the wedding feast. Half of them had extra oil for their lamps (or torches), and the other half did not make sure their lamps will go on burning throughout the night because they did not bring reserves.

When the bridegroom arrived, only half of the waiting women were able to enter the wedding feast. The other half were found sourcing out the needed extra oil for their lamps, and were not able to enter. Aside from being locked out, they were treated as persona non grata by the bridegroom.

There are disastrous consequences for being unprepared.

Though many will be preaching on this parable as a reminder for the faithful to be prepared and watchful for the return of Christ, I would like to remind us that the kingdom of God is the main subject of the parable. Jesus begins his teaching in this way: ‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this… (Mat 25:1a).

The parable of the virgins or bridesmaids, from among many interpretations we can gather, teaches a kind attitude one must have in “waiting” for the coming of God’s kingdom, that is: be prepared whilst you wait. However, it is not waiting sitting-down but an active one.

Focusing on the acts of the five ‘wise’ maidens: they were able to join the party for bringing that extra oil. But look at their attitudes. Would you like to be associated with these bridesmaids who were not able to share their extra oil so that all of them would be able to join the celebration? Are the values of self-giving and self-emptying for the sake of others do not operate in this kind of situation?

We can have as many interpretations as the number of believe, but let me invite you to reflect about active waiting by studying Joshua.

Joshua invites all Israel to the town of Shechem in the central highlands of Israel. Joshua reminds them of the long history of God’s actions for Israel: the promise to the ancestors, the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, and God’s provision through the wilderness (Joshua 24:1-13). Although much of this section is deleted from the lectionary reading, these verses are important. They testify to God’s grace, mercy and unmerited love of Israel which forms the reason for Joshua’s call in verse 14: “Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.” Reverence and obedience to God are the primary ways by which God’s people give thanks to God for the generous gifts of life and freedom God has already given.

We will serve the LORD! No, you won’t! Yes, we will! (24:14-21)
Joshua urges the people to put away “the gods of the ancestors” and “serve the LORD.” Speaking on behalf of his own household, Joshua declares: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). If other Israelite households are unwilling to follow the example of Joshua in serving the LORD, then they are free to “choose” among multiple other foreign gods, whether Mesopotamian gods (from “beyond the River [Euphrates]”) or “the gods of the Amorites [Canaanites]” (24:14-15). It doesn’t matter which other god they choose; they will have broken the sacred covenant bond between them and their one true God.

The Israelites respond to Joshua enthusiastically: “We also will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:18)! Instead, Joshua sternly replies, “You cannot serve the LORD!” God is jealous for your love, and God will not forgive you endlessly and without consequence. If you forsake God, God will “consume you, after having done you good” (Joshua 24:19). The people urgently answer back, “No, we will serve the LORD” (24:21). The elderly Joshua to have a good recall of the attitudes of the Israelites in the wilderness wanderings where the people always complained and even doubted Yahweh’s plan for them.

From Joshua’s example, we can see how his faith in God  is reflected in his household’s total commitment to serving the Lord.

The best way be prepared for the coming God’s kingdom, and/or Christ’s return is by a 100% commitment to serving God. And there is no other way of doing service to God than by living and sharing  Christ’s ministry in the world.

This is what it means when we say our lives are shaped by our belief in God’s sovereignty and the realization of God’s kingdom on earth.

A disastrous failure we might commit in our faith-life is to fall asleep by forgetting that God is already with us. God is Emmanuel. Where God is, the kingdom of God is supposed to be lived out by believers and experienced by people around them.

We may be lulled into the notion that the way to the kingdom is quick and easy. We forget, and even deny the imperative of participating in the work of Christ in building God’s kingdom on earth (as it is in heaven). So, how do we take part in kingdom building? How do we contribute in propagating its values and in translating its acts as demonstrated by Christ in the world today?

God’s kingdom is as much earthly as it is heavenly.

In places or sites where buildings or roads are being built, we see signs that say: Construction going on.

Construction indeed, is going on at the ground level or earth level and there is plenty of work to be done. We need to learn how to give our share and even give the extra mile.

Finally, building God’s reign is a historical and a lifelong task.

History itself offers lessons we should not ignore. People martyred for their works in furthering the kingdom gives inspiration. In the ordinariness of a faithful believer in whose heart is found God’s kingdom is the seed for the kingdom to take root and grow and bear fruits.

We are witnesses to Christ in as much as we are witnesses for God’s reign. We witness to how God works in history. History is God’s story in the making and we are invited to be active participants in this task.

Let us continue to strengthen each other as co-builders in and for God’s kingdom. What do you think would happen if the five bridesmaids shared their extra oil?

Amen.