“‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
Matthew 25:11-13
Five foolish bridesmaids were unaware their oil was almost depleted, because they didn’t keep watch. So, when they arrived late to the wedding, the bridegroom said, “I don’t know you!”
Most of us have experienced close friendships that are no longer “close.” We formerly lived in the same community, knew each other’s families, and enjoyed “doing” life together, but one person moved away. It wasn’t long before the texts and phone calls dwindled and little by little we each moved on with life. We didn’t forget each other, but we no longer really knew each other!
Jesus tells us how to prevent that scenario in our relationship with Him, “Keep watch!” In other words, Keep it alive—Don’t let your knowledge of Me become out-of-date! Talk with Me, laugh with Me, cry with Me, let Me encourage you. And even when you move to a different stage of life, keep on “doing life” with Me!
If I remember someone’s name and face, yet no longer know anything about them, they’ve probably become a “used to be” friend. But Jesus does not have a category for that kind of relationship! He didn’t give His life to become my used-to-be friend. However, He leaves the upkeep of that friendship to me.
Will I keep our relationship up to date,
Or will I move away and let Jesus become another used-to-be friend?
