I Know You Not - Matthew 25:12

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twelve of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said the bridegroom, “answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not” where we read:

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

The verse reads, “But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you,” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “but” which means “nevertheless, nonetheless, moreover and” “he answered” or “the bridegroom responded” “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”,“verily” which means “truly and surely” “I say” or “the bridegroom uttered, proclaimed and declared” “unto you” or “toward the five foolish virgins”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “bridegroom” responded to the plea of the “five foolish virgins” by certifying what he was about to declare unto them.

The verse goes on to say, “I know you not.” Matthew continued with Jesus' words, “I know” which means “the bridegroom perceive, notice, discern and discover” “you not” or “the five foolish virgins”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “bridegroom” declared that he did not “know” the “five foolish virgins”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we learn of the devastating words from the “bridegroom” - “I know you not”. Jesus said in Matthew chapter seven and verses twenty-one thru twenty-three, “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” Those who are wise receive Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” and will be “known” by God, and those who have not received His Son Jesus shall hear His words, “I know you not, you that work iniquity”.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus warns, “watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.