Dr Paul Allen

English: By Rembrandt. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 25:1–13 “When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps” ( vv. 3–4 ). The story of the faithful and wise servant in Matthew 24:45–51 tells us to be ready in case Jesus comes sooner than we have anticipated. The faithless servant boldly sins, believing he can put off changing his ways because he thinks his master will be long in coming ( Matt. 24:48–51 ). A wise servant, however, does not delay his duties since he does not know when his master will return, and he refuses to be caught unawares. He does not put off loving service to his master because today might be his last chance to do what is right. Yet the parable in Matthew 25:1–13 exhorts us to be ready if Christ delays longer than we expect. The story is based on a Near Eastern wedding, a scenario familiar to His original audience. After nuptials at the bride’s home, a welcoming party escorts the new...

Image via Wikipedia When Christ purchased His bride , He bought a bride who was "damaged merchandise." His bride was sullied by manifest impurities.  She was covered by spots and marred by wrinkles . Yet what He purchased He also sanctifies: Husbands , love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ( Eph. 5:25-27 , NIV ) Christ prepares His bride for His wedding feast envisioned in Revelation: Then the angel said to me, "Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." (19:9, NIV) Every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper , we celebrate not only the redeeming purchase price paid by the Bridegroom but symbolically the marriage feast of ...