I'll Keep The Fire
I'll Keep The Fire || Day 5
Matthew 25:1-13 NKJV
“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.“
THE FIRE OF PROVISION.
When we read the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, this passage can be preached many different ways.
We can start talking about how Jesus broke bread, and it was symbolic of what he was going to do with Himself, as He is the Bread of life. We can talk about how meat was provided, and that it is a symbolic representation of the will of God. Because, in John 4, the disciples asked, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” And His response was, “My MEAT is to do the will of Him who sent me.” This is also why when Peter and the disciples went fishing, Jesus stood on the shore and said, “Children, HAVE YE ANY MEAT?” Saying, “Are you doing His will?”
There are so many ways you can go when discussing this story. But there is one question I have had regarding this passage of scripture. WHO HAD THE FIRE?
I know what you are thinking. There is nothing in that passage that has anything to do with fire. I KNOW!! This is my point exactly. But you have to ask this question, “Who kept the fire!”
Jesus didn’t serve raw fish. Look at John 21. The Bible says that when He was standing on the shore calling out, and they came on the shore, they saw a FIRE of coals and fish laid on it.
So, who kept the fire!! The Bible doesn’t even say who kept the fire. So, there is a no-name person, a person who didn’t have a name among men, who didn’t have a title, who the disciples didn’t think was worth mentioning, BUT THEY KEPT THE FIRE….
I came today to ask, who doesn’t have a name? Who doesn’t have title? But they kept the fire!! Who is here saying, “I’ll burn no matter what.” Is there anyone who says, “I’ll keep the fire. I don’t care if my name ever gets mentioned, but I’LL keep the fire!
Can you imagine that person leaving the house? I picture them holding a torch or some type of lantern, and saying to themselves, “Do I really need the fire? Is it necessary to always carry it? Everyone will see it. Are we even going to need it?”
Then, as it’s getting late, they see the disciples bringing them bread and the fish.
Then God nudges and says, “Give them some of your fire!!!”
When is the last time you said, “I’LL KEEP THE FIRE? If the body needs provision, I’ll supply my fire!”
Pray with me…