The wise or the foolish
Marriage is a union of two doting parties who choose one another, to have and to hold until the end of the age. The covenant of marriage is unique in principle; underlined by commitment to serve the other more than oneself. The most beautiful marriage in the Bible is that of a Bridegroom and his Bride. Who are these characters? Priscilla and Aquila? Boaz and Ruth? No! The Bride described in Ephesians 5:25-32 is the Church and the Bridegroom is Jesus Christ.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins speaks of the kingdom of heaven, and the consequence of ill-preparation since we do not know when Jesus will return. Who can be prepared for Jesus’ return? What happens if we are not ready?
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour of my return”
The Response (v. 1 - 5)
In first-century Jewish wedding celebrations, the groom would meet with the bride, and the bridesmaids would lead a procession towards the lodging of the betrothed couple, each with their own torch or lamp. In this parable the 10 virgins each take their lamps to meet the bridegroom, though only five bring extra oil in a jar to illuminate their lamps.
“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps” - Matthew 25:3-4
Oil was required to illuminate the lamps and once the oil was consumed, the light would go out. Throughout the Bible, oil is used to represent anointing (1 Samuel 16:13) and as a metaphor of the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 8:43-46). What does the oil in this parable represent? Parables have many interpretations and it’s through our careful study of the passage plus discernment from the Holy Spirit that we would understand. What we know for sure from the parable of the ten virgins is this: the second coming of Christ will be at an unknown time, and our response is critical. Will we be like the five virgins who responded in surprise and unpreparedness? Or will we be like the other ten virgins, who in their response, were fully prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom?
The Return (v. 6 - 10)
As the bridegroom’s arrival is delayed, the 10 virgins all fall asleep. Suddenly, there was an unexpected cry at midnight:
“Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him” - Matthew 25:6
Suddenly awake, the 10 virgins “trimmed their lamps”, which means to trim the wax-made wick in order to produce a light that would burn brighter. The foolish virgins ask for more oil, as their lights were becoming dim.
“Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out” - Matthew 25:8
But the wise ones refused, and asked the foolish to go buy some oil for themselves. In the meantime, the bridegroom arrives (v. 10). Those that had their lamps burning were able to pass into the marriage feast, and be with the bridegroom and his bride. Those that went to find oil were too late.
The Refusal (v. 11 - 13)
The foolish ones pleaded to enter, but were denied.
“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered, “Truly, I say to you, “I do not know you” - Matthew 25-11-12
What picture does this convey for Christians? The final verse (v. 13) is clear in saying that the kingdom of God will come. It will arrive at an unknown and unexpected hour, but even while that is true, the Church must be ready in anticipation as well as preparation. If we are simply anticipating, but are not prepared for Christ’s return, are we not like the foolish virgins?
Dear Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Thank you father that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. I pray that the Church today would understand and act in a way that recognises the importance of being on-guard. We do not know when Jesus will come again, but we have faith that He will come. I pray that I would bear fruit, as a result of my relationship with Jesus. May it grow richer in obedience and spiritual maturity everyday.
Amen.