"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Mat 25:13 NIV).
Every major event in life has one thing in common: those who prepare usually face it with confidence, while those who delay often wish they had started sooner. Students review before exams, families save for emergencies, and builders inspect a roof before the rainy season. Waiting until the last minute rarely produces the best outcome. Jesus used ordinary stories because they reveal extraordinary truths. In Matthew 25, He reminds us that His return is not a surprise without warning. It is an announced event. The real question is not whether He will come, but whether we will be ready when He does.
Many things can be anticipated. A wedding invitation tells guests when to arrive. Dark clouds warn that rain is near. Seasons repeat their patterns. In the same way, Jesus repeatedly announced that He would return. The wise virgins believed His words enough to prepare with extra oil, while the foolish assumed everything would work out. First-time events often expose weak preparation because people rely on guesses instead of careful obedience. Good intentions never replace readiness.
Jesus also spoke of servants entrusted with their master's wealth before his departure. Their preparation was not passive waiting but faithful work. Readiness for Christ's return is more than believing He is coming. It is living each day in obedience, using the gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities He has entrusted to us. As John Wesley reportedly said, "Do all the good you can." Faith becomes visible through faithful living.
Some will fail because they mistake proximity for preparedness. The foolish bridesmaids looked like everyone else until the critical moment arrived. Borrowed faith, borrowed convictions, or last-minute decisions cannot replace a genuine relationship with Christ. When the door was shut, no one could reopen it for them. Likewise, when the Master returned to settle accounts, the time for preparation had ended. God's patience is abundant, but it is not endless. Today is the day to trust Christ, walk with Him, and serve Him faithfully, because the best preparation for tomorrow is obedience today.
