1-5“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep. 6“In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bridegroom’s here! Go out and greet him!’ 7-8“The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’ 9“They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’ 10“They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked. 11“Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’ 12“He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’ 13“So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive. Matthew 25:1-13
I want to bring this parable into modern day, and hopefully by the end you’ll have a clearer picture of which category of these virgins (bridesmaids) you fall into. This parable implies that there are 10 virgins who are waiting for the groom to arrive, but they don’t know the exact time of his arrival, so they have been left to wait expectantly and anxiously for the groom to arrive. In those days due to no electricity, they used lamps fueled with oil to provide them light in the darkness both in and outside of the home. Without a lamp, one would not be able to find their way through the darkness of their homes, or outside. To avoid running out of oil when darkness came, one had to prepare themselves by purchasing oil, filling their lamp with oil, and hopefully having excess oil to refuel their lamp if they have to use more oil than expected. Half of the virgins were wise and realized that they may need extra oil if they needed to burn their lamps late into the night, but the other half of the virgins foolishly assumed that they didn’t need extra oil, or even to fill their lamp because either the groom would arrive early, or they could have some oil from the wise virgins, or even use the light from the wise virgins whose lamps would still be burning. All of this makes sense doesn’t it? Or have you realized by now that this parable isn’t about oil and lamps? For me this parable represents
- Oil = God’s word, scripture
- Lamp = faith
The foolish virgins are those people who don’t take the time to develop a real, solid relationship with God that is built and firmly founded on his word. I believe that this parable illustrates that you must prepare yourself in God’s word, filling yourself with His promises, covenants, declarations, etc so that you will be prepared for any situation that may come your way. We don’t know what test/trial/storm/adversity will present itself to us next so we must fill ourselves with ALL of God’s word, even the scriptures that may seem that they don’t apply to our situations but may be applicable to what we are about to encounter in the future. People with baby/milk faith or no real relationship with God see God only as a rescuer when they are in trouble, and usually run to others for safety or help when they don’t have enough oil for themselves. I like this parable because some may see the 5 wise virgins as selfish but actually they are being obedient and showing themselves faithful/trustworthy. The 5 wise virgins like some of us have lived through enough situations that they realize that because you don’t know what’s ahead, you better be prepared for anything. When you’ve experienced some dark nights, and some unexpectedly long journeys that was full of surprises you understand that it will cause you to use everything you have…..and then some. I, like the 5 wise virgins have learned that because I can’t control all circumstances I must fill myself on God’s word, studying it even when things are going good knowing that there will be a time when I will be tested in my life and faith, where I must use the scriptures (oil) that I have studied to power/strengthen my faith (lamp) through the darkness. It is usually too late to try to fill a lamp with oil and light the lamp once darkness has settled in because you are unable to see what you are doing. Typically in life it is too late or extremely difficult to search/study the word (get oil), and develop faith (light your lamp) in the midst of your troubles without help from someone whose lamp is full of oil and lit already. The problem with this is that my oil and lamp does you no good when the groom (Jesus) shows up and you don’t have any oil or lit lamp yourself. I can help you to get some oil, and show you how to light your lamp, but I can’t give you my oil and allow you to walk using my light (faith) because you need your own to navigate what is actually a personal journey to Jesus AND heaven. Like the 5 wise virgins I have realized that it is not my responsibility to carry someone to Jesus OR heaven as much as it is to lead them to the source where they can purchase their own oil, and prepare and maintain their own lamp. I can’t prepare and walk for me AND you, it is not my burden to lead you through the dark when you CHOSE not to prepare for the approaching darkness that we knew was bound to arrive, and/or the coming of the groom (Jesus).
4We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world [giving guidance through My word and works].” John 9:4-5 AMP
Reflection Time
Do you have enough of your OWN oil? Is your lamp prepared for the darkness, and the grooms arrival? If you have excess oil, and a ready lamp, have you shown others how to adequately prepare in advance? If your oil is low, or you don’t have any, are you willing to get some? Have you identified anyone who can help you prepare your lamp? If your oil is ready, and your lamp is lit, have you irresponsibly given away oil or inappropriately shared your lamp with those who really don’t want it for themselves? My last request is that for some of you, go get some oil now, and for others its time to better steward/manage your current and future oil and lamp.
