“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take olive oil with them. But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ “The sensible ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.’ “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. “Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us! ’ “But he replied, ‘I assure you: I do not know you! ’ “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus is nearing the end of His ministry. He begins to teach intensively about the end of time. Matthew 25, records much of what He says.
He tells the story of ten virgins who are waiting for a groom. In Hebrew culture it was normal for a young man ro purpose marriage to a young lady and upon her acceptance, to return to his father’s home and prepare a place for his bride and in anticipation of starting a family. Sometimes that meant building a house on dad’s property. Sometimes it simply meant adding a room or small apartment onto dad’s house. Knowing this makes John 14 a little more clear!
Upon completing his home or room, he’d go after his bride who was awaiting him. Her job was to be prepared. She was suppose to keep her stuff packed and her makeup on because when he came for her there would be little, if any warning that he had come.
In this case its a little unclear as to why there were ten virgins, but we speculate that there may not have been a specified bride and that the groom would choose from whoever showed up, but that’s not the point to Jesus’ story! The point was that some of the virgins were truely prepared but some where not.
So the groom shows up at the midnight hour and all the virgins woke up to meet him. Some had enough oil for their lamps but some did not. Those who did not have enough tried to borrow from those did have enough but were refused because that would cause all to not have enough.
So what does this parable mean? I believe that of the 10 virgins, only 5 truely desired the groom. They were truely prepared to go the distance til he came, while 5 looked prepared, but lacked the commitment to go the distance til the groom arrived. Sadly, by the time the groom finally arrived, it was too late to buy the oil that was necessary to keep their lamps burning til the end.
Jesus, the Groom of His Bride, the Church has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us, His Bride (John 14:2) He’s coming again to get us (John14:3). Our job is to make disciples (Matt 28:19-29) and to prepare for His coming. The measure of His Presence in our lives will be the determining factor as to whether or not we will endure til His coming.
Be prepared! Make Jesus your Lord and Savoir today. Surrender your heart, to will, your time and your talents to Him and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Be prepared-don’t show yourself lacking.
Think about it!
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