In its day, the Titanic was the world's largest ship, weighing 46,328 tons, 882 ½ feet long with 3 anchors weighing more than 10 tons each. It employed a crew of 400, a hotel staff of 518 and could carry 2,433 passengers. The 159 furnaces burned 650 tons of coal a day. The ship had a complete gymnasium, heated pool, squash court and the first miniature golf course - all below deck. Its lavish appointments included opulent dining rooms with 24-hour service, orchestra on the promenade deck, palm courts and gilded Turkish baths.
Several millionaires were on the passenger list. But, on April 14, 1912, the "unthinkable" happened to the "unsinkable". Near midnight, the great Titanic struck an iceberg, ripping a 300 ft hole through five of its sixteen watertight compartments. It sank in two-and-a-half hours killing 1,513 people. Why did so many die? Reasons: the crew disregarding the danger of the weather, there were not enough lifeboats on board, and the radio operator of the nearby California was off duty.
"God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life" (Jn.3.16).
At the right time, God came into human history in person, in Jesus the eternal Son of God. He truly lived here - living the life we were always meant to live, the life we have failed to live. He came to reveal himself, to show us what he is really like, to teach us how to live. His coming was an offence to us. He was the Light of the world and his light showed us up for what we are. The good ones, the religious ones, the upright ones in the community schemed to get rid of him, to extinguish the light. They had him brought up on false charges to the Roman governor and had him put to death by the most cruel means of execution possible - a cross. It was history's darkest hour. It was humankind's most unjust act, most irresponsible act - the execution of the Son of God. But you can't get rid of God that way! And you can't put the Light out that way, either! For one thing you can't execute the Son of God. The death of Jesus Christ the Son of God could only happen if God willed it as well. What happened on the cross was the coming together of human rebellion, hate and sin with the redemptive caring love of God. So what happened on the cross opened the way for forgiveness of sin and a welcome into God's family for any who will believe in him.
We are sure that this is what happened because on the third day he rose from the grave. From the human point of view, the Son of God died because of human sin. But we need to grasp that he died because of the great redemptive love of God. Unknown to us, human anger, in calling out for the death penalty, was demanding that Jesus receive the penalty we truly deserve for our sin. Jesus, the Son of God, took that penalty for us. Now God in his love is saying, "I want to forgive you. I want to set you free. I want to welcome you back into my family." The penalty has been paid. As Paul put it, "There is no condemnation now to those who live in union with Christ Jesus" (Rom.8.l) He rose again! Death could not hold him! He truly is the Son of God! His death truly cancels out the penalty of our sin when we put our trust in him! "God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life."
So there is good news! The band of his followers, the church, has a message to get out to the whole world! That is what we are here for. Schools, businesses - yes, and churches as well! - draw up "mission statements" these days. It is an important process, especially as long-established organisations re-discover their reason for existence. This parish has a "mission statement" too -
But that is just part of our reflection on the great commission our risen Lord has given us - "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age" (Mt.28.18-20).
Well, we've been at it for a long time. How are we going? Are we still "on task"? It is an important - vital - promise that "I will be with you always..." But we have ignored the last bit - "…to the end of the age."
We forget that the task of sharing the good news cannot go on for ever. It will come time to sum up human history. Jesus is coming again! That is a glad prospect for all who have put their trust in him, but a warning of judgement of all who continue to turn their back on him. Again and again, Jesus told his disciples about his departure from them - the time when he would no longer be present with them physically but through the Holy Spirit - and his return in glory. And he said to them, "You must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him" (Mt.24.44).
Today's reading follows on some major teaching of Jesus on his second coming. The opening words, "at that time," refers us specifically to the time of his return. Because it will be at an hour when we are not expecting him, it is important that we be prepared.
In Jewish society there were three stages in getting married. First, there was an engagement. That was the time when the fathers of the bride and groom got together and worked out the financial settlement. This was followed by the betrothal, a ceremony held in the house of the bride's parents. The bride and groom made promises to one another in the presence of witnesses. But they weren't married yet and didn't start living together - the rules were very strict on that point - although if the bridegroom died the bride was regarded as a widow. Finally, after about a year, there was the marriage, when the bridegroom, accompanied by his friends, went to fetch the bride from her father's house and brought her back in procession to his own home where the marriage feast was held. It is most likely this procession that the ten girls in the parable were going to meet. We don't really know whether they were official bridesmaids, servants of the bridegroom, or children of friends and neighbours. Certainly, the marriage feast was a matter for the whole neighbourhood.
All the girls had brightly-burning lamps. All of them, up to a certain time, were fully ready to meet the bridegroom. The difference is that some had made provision for possible delay, the others none. There was a delay, and all of them - wise and foolish alike - dropped off to sleep.
Suddenly, at the least expected time - midnight - the call rang out, "He's here! The bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him!" They rubbed the sleep from their eyes. This was the moment they had been waiting for. Just as well some one called out to wake us!
There was no time to do anything but refuel their lamps. The lamps of the foolish girls had not gone out altogether, but they needed oil. And the wise girls didn't have enough to share. The foolish girls went off to buy some. No doubt because of the wedding celebrations, the shops were still open. The possibility of buying oil was there, but the time to do so was past.
The bridegroom arrived and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast "and the door was closed." The invitation to come and be part of the wedding feast was extended far and wide, but it would not be extended for ever. The time came when it was too late. Once everyone had gone into the feast, the door would be closed and not opened for anyone else.
So Jesus concludes, "Be on your guard, then, because you do not know the day or the hour."
The loving Jesus is giving us an important warning. Paul wrote, "This is the hour to receive God's favour; today is the day to be saved! (2 Cor.6.2) We can sit comfortable with that. Isn't it nice that God loves us? Isn't it great that God wants to welcome us? We really appreciate that Jesus came - that's why Christmas and Easter are important times when we come to church! But receive God's favour. Believe in Jesus Christ and be saved! Today is the day to be saved, but we don't know when "today" will end - tomorrow will be too late! We can like the comfort and niceness, we can look forward to a party - but miss the most vital part of being ready!
Jesus also warns us that even those who are ready may drop off to sleep because of the suddenness of his return. They are not rejected. They are still part of the feast. But Jesus says - be on your guard, keep watch, keep "on task." Life is not the practice run, but the real thing.
The old song says, "Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, keep me burning till the break of day!" Problem is - the lamp may be burning, but is the lamp-keeper awake at midnight?
Be ready now! Have your oil with you, the oil of God's grace, God's favour. Be clear in your response to his good news, that is a response for all eternity. When that day comes, no one can share their oil with you. God's grace is for you to receive now!
Keep alert! Read the Word. Pray. Allow his Spirit to empower and guide you. Stay "on task"! His coming is certain, even though it is at a time unknown to us.
The Titanic was supposed to be ready for anything - but struck an unexpected iceberg.
Jesus is coming! Are we ready?
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