Ladies and Lamps

Being prepared is important. The Boy Scouts know this. Their motto, since 1907, has been "Be Prepared". Robert Baden-Powel,  wrote the handbook "Scouting for Boys" in 1916. There he explains that being prepared means "you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY."

Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids, found near the end of Matthew's record of Jesus' ministry. Its a story of being prepared, being in a state of readiness. Five of the bridesmaids had come to the meeting place prepared with extra oil for their lamps and five had not. Five were prepared for a long wait, and five were not. All ten fell asleep, but only five woke up ready to go to the wedding party. 

We might wonder though, what we are to be ready for? Is this a parable about end times, about Jesus return, or is it a teaching about how we are to live our lives every day. 

This Sunday we'll spend some time in this parable wondering what it really looks like to "Be Prepared"