But "ready" does not only mean being in time. If a grown up girl was going to be presented at the King and Queen's Court, she might be at the Palace in time, but if she were not suitably dressed, if she had not troubled to put on a court dress, she would not be "ready" for the presentation.
Do you remember a story in the Bible like this? There was a man who went to a palace at the King's invitation and sat down to feast with him in his common soiled working clothes. He had been offered a suitable party suit of clothes before he went into the Palace, but he refused them, and he was sent away from the banquet, and turned away in disgrace.
There are lots of stories about people coming to grief by not being ready, though they were warned beforehand.
The trouble is with most of us, that we put off getting ready till too late. It is no good to wait to get ready till the time comes. If people move from one house to another, they pack up and prepare for weeks beforehand. If you are going a journey, you don't wait to pack your box till the car is at the door. Now, our Lord warns us that one day He is returning to this world. He will surely come; but He will come when people are not expecting Him. And then in a moment, every one in the world will be separated from one another. Those that are ready will meet Him and be happy with Him for ever; those that are not ready will be sent away in disgrace and misery.
Do you remember the story of the wise and foolish Virgins. Only those who were ready went inside the bridegroom's house, the others were shut outside. When the flood came suddenly, only those who were ready went into the Ark with Noah and were saved. When Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, only those who were ready to leave it escaped with their lives. And our Lord tells us the story of some servants who were left in charge of their master's house whilst he was away. The master comes back suddenly, and finds some of his servants not ready to meet him. They had been enjoying themselves and not taking care of his house. They had nothing ready for their master's return.
Jesus reminds us that He has gone away for a time, but He is really and truly coming back, and by the signs in the world, His Return is very near. Are you ready to meet Him? If He came to-day, this evening just after dark, would you be found ready?
A soldier is shot if he is on sentry duty and found sleeping at his post. Are you awake? Are you serving your absent Master as you would do if He were close to you watching all that you do or say?
Perhaps you have never tried to serve your absent master. Perhaps you say: "I don't think I am His servant at all."
It will be very sad and dreadful for you if the Lord comes back to this world before you have begun to serve Him. You are indeed not ready for His return. Won't you think about this very seriously, and determine to get "ready" as soon as you can? How can you do this?
By giving your heart to Jesus, by asking Him to forgive you all your sins, and make you His faithful and true little servant.