Holy Saturday – April 19, 2025

The Invitation to Stay Awake

Rebecca Nance

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:1–13 (The Parable of the Bridesmaids)

In the silence of waiting, we hold onto hope, trusting that what is promised will come. Holy Week reminds us that faith is both an urgent call to readiness and a deep trust in God’s faithfulness. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Many Christians interpret this parable as a depiction of the rapture (harpazō, “caught up” – 1 Thess 4:17) of the church, where the “bridegroom” represents Jesus Christ and the “bridesmaids” represent believers, highlighting the importance of being spiritually prepared and ready for his return whenever that may be. The message is clear: be ready.

There are five wise bridesmaids that brought extra oil for their lamps, symbolizing a life of faith and spiritual readiness, while the unwise bridesmaids did not, representing those who are not prepared for Jesus coming for his church.

Being spiritually ready means that Christians should be living a life dedicated to God and being spiritually prepared for Jesus’ return, not just professing faith without actively living it. If Jesus were to appear right now, would you be embarrassed or excited? Consider the words and actions you do daily. Do they glorify God or satisfy your sinful flesh? How do you spend your time? In your Christian faith, do you talk about Jesus all day long without obeying him? Does the content you consume blaspheme his name or praise his name? Examine yourselves. If we are honest with ourselves, probably most of us have been, at one time, unwise bridesmaids. But we don’t have to stay that way. We can prepare today.

Meanwhile, in the waiting, we may be mourning for the redemption of our physical bodies, mourning for the loved ones we have lost, but most of all mourning the “wait” for our Lord to appear and take us home. Most of us, if not all, are homesick for a place we have never seen or been. I mourn the wait, but I’m comforted that his promises are true. One day, Jesus will come to take us home to heaven! We may not know when, but will you be ready? Come, Lord Jesus—Maranatha!

Prayer: God, this waiting feels heavy, and the tomb is so cold. I don’t know how long the night will last, but I am holding on, trusting that you are near even now. Keep my lamp burning. Let your Spirit be my oil, my strength, my guide. Teach me to wait—not with fear, but with faith. You raised Jesus, and you will raise me too. So I will watch. I will hope. I will stay awake. Even here. Even now. Come, Lord Jesus!