Being ready for Jesus

My husband gave me a beautiful birthday gift last month, and now this little glazed Jewish lamp (if you live in Australia, this is the same lamp) has made its home in my lounge room.

Filled with olive oil, its little wick holds a tender flame as I read my Bible and do devotional time in the morning. 

Every time I see its little earthen form, I’m reminded again to open the Word of God: to steal away the moments and minutes from an otherwise busy day that has its own unrelenting demands, and to draw near to the One who formed this earthly vessel simply for His delight. 

And that’s the thing I’m reminded most of when I consider this little lamp that was modelled from lamps in Jesus’ time:

Our earthly vessels cannot even endure a short duration without the essentials.

Like water,      

              oxygen 

                        and sleep.

Like human connection, 

          joy

and kind words to uplift our soul.

Like daily union, 

          many moments of prayer layering our day

  and genuine connection with our Creator and Sovereign Lord.

Our earthly vessels cannot even endure a short duration without the essentials.

The necessity of daily oil

In Matthew 25, Jesus spoke of the five virgins flapping around town to find oil for their lamps when the bridegroom was on his way.

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

MATTHEW 25:1-13

When I look at these historically-modelled lamps from Jesus’ day, they are very tiny; the clay lamp can fit easily in the palm of your hand.
(Side note: I recommend keeping it on a flat surface and NOT holding it in your hands, especially if you’ve already filled it to the brim like I did. Oops!)

The intention—and the original design—of these lamps was not to flood a whole house, let alone a room, with a gigantic flame. It was a personal lamp that would aid visibility for what was nearby—just a few metres (feet). You could not add a gallon of oil into its tiny frame to keep it burning for days at a time. Its capacity would only allow a flame to burn for several hours. 

Essentially, the vessel and its contents could not sustain you through days or weeks at a time, without the very need to fill up again with fresh oil.

How much is that like the need in our own lives? 

Jesus was reminding us of this when He gave the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins:

Do you have oil (personal, quiet time with Jesus where no one else sees, reading the Scriptures and His word, prayer & communion with adonai Father) to draw upon and ready to fill up each day? 

Today’s filling isn’t going to cover tomorrow’s—let along next week’s—needs.

Our lamp must be filled daily to give us the light we need to make it through the night(s).

Similarly, just like daily bread and new morning mercies, the worries of tomorrow and next week are not what we need to be ‘burning the midnight oil’ on [I couldn’t pass up on adding that pun]. The delicate yet steady flame from the lamp gives enough light to see what is around you so you don’t stumble while moving through. It’s enough light to help you see through today. 

Our lamp must be filled daily to give us the light
we need to make it through the night(s).

jesus knows what we need!

I love this about our Jesus…

He wasn’t a dictator or narcissistic deity who had no understanding of our daily struggles and daily needs.

He knew.

He made us, after all, and knows the depths of our being (Proverbs 20:27).

He knows our earthly vessel can only make it through these days soundly when He is in it. 

I’m not even sure who said it now (a pastor, author…maybe both), but this quote has remained with me:

“God will never create a life for you that doesn’t require Him in it”. 

He’s ready and eager to be with you, and to be all that you need, today.

And it is that simple, really.

It’s coming to Jesus; it’s acknowledging that we are not self-sufficient, but highly and completely dependent on Him for every single thing. It’s taking moments throughout our day to talk with Him, worship Him, giving thanks to Him and letting the Holy Spirit direct our ways.

Paul made it easy for us by spelling out in a practical way:

“...be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

EPHESIANS 5:19-20 NLT

May this sit with, encourage and stir you (even ruin you, as it did me) today, friend. 

He knows our earthly vessel can only make it
through these days soundly when He is in it. 

Mentions

Biblical Replica Ancient Glazed Oil Lamp from Jesus’ time
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