Never Assume!

Read--Matthew 25: 1-13

For those who may not know, there is a warning about making assumptions:  it puts both parties in a sticky situation.  In my Preaching class in seminary, we were warned about making the assumption that our audience would just automatically know even the most known stories from the Bible.  There are great dangers in making assumptions.  What if our assumptions turn out to be wrong?  Things can get out of hand, arguments can started, and relationships can become strained--all because something was just assumed and never confirmed.

In this parable of the bridesmaids, Jesus adds his warning to the making of assumptions.  The bridegroom herre is used as a metaphor for God.  The basic gist of the parable is this:  never assume to know what God is doing to do and when God is going to do it.  Five of the bridesmaids in the parable just assumed to bridegroom was going to show up in the middle of the day, or at least before nightfall.  As a result, they were not prepared when the groom finally showed up and they missed out on the festivities because they had to go back and get what they needed.  Can you imagine the grief and frustration they must have felt?

Within the world today, we make so many different assumptions.  We assume that what is here today is still going to be here tomorrow. We assume that things might get better (economically, relationally, etc).  We make the assumption that the status quo will always be the status quo.  Within the church, there is the assumption that church is "always going to be here".  We are reminded time and again that absolutely nothing is gauranteed.  Our next breath is not gauranteed; how then can these other things also be assumed as gauranteed?

Within this parable, there are two things for persons of faith to pay attention to.  The first is that part of a life of faith is placing our trust in God, even when we do not know what God is doing.  Along with that, though, is being ready to respond whenever God seeks to work in and through us.  In other words, to borrow the motto of the Boy Scouts, "Be prepared"!

The second part involves our relationship to those who are not prepared at the moment.  As I read the text, it occurs to me how selfish the bridesmaids with the oil seem to be.  The are so concerned that there will be enough for themselves that the can't bring themselves to share with the others.  Perhaps they were making the assuption that the other five would also have enough oil.  I wonder how many times those in the church just assume that their family, friends, neighbors, etc. are in a right relationship with God.  Because of their assuming, those who were not prepared find themselves missing out on a life lived in the knowledge of the grace and love of God in Christ.  Thus, the warnings are twofold:  do not assume that you know when God's going to call you to respond in faith and do not assume that those around you are secure in the flock of Christ.
Save us, O God, from making false assumptions.  By your grace, help us to be prepared for whenever you might call us to action.  By your grace, may we be ready to move into action.  We pray for those around us who are strangers to your gospel message.  Save us from making the assumption that they know the story of Jesus and his love and move us to share with them what we have--your love, your grace, and fellowship with you and one another.  We pray in Christ's name, AMEN.