Today is the commemoration of the birth of Martin Chemnitz, Pastor and Confessor.
Today's readings are Psalm 147:1-11, Jeremiah 22:1-23, and Matthew 25:1-13.
The Gospel reading for today teaches us to be prepared for our Lord's coming no matter the cost, no matter the requirements, no matter that it may seem foolish to prepare well. Yet today we find more and more people who have a flippant attitude toward personal holiness, who take devotion to God through reading the Scripture and praying lightly, who have a casual attitude toward attending church and receiving the blessings of God in Word and Sacraments. This ought not to be. Are we prepared for our Lord's coming? Do we desire to be ready regardless of the circumstances of his arrival? Is it our intention to have enough oil to keep our lamp burning all night if we need to? What kind of a celebration are we prepared for? Let us take heed to the preparations we make. Rather than assuming the Lord will not mind if we are a day late, a dollar short, and have to look up the answer when he comes, let us look to him eagerly, anticipating his arrival. By the way, what is that answer that we shouldn't need to look up? Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Believing on the Lord we can have confident assurance that we are saved and will be delivered from all evil. There's the answer - Christ alone for the sins of the world.
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