1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Jesus is continuing his instructions for the Jews to be ready for His return after the tribulation. This parable speaks of 10 virgins, perhaps bridesmaids, who would lead the procession of the bridegroom from the bride’s house to his own house for a wedding feast in a traditional Jewish wedding. These bridesmaids had fallen asleep but not all of them had made adequate preparation for the bridegrooms arrival. The parable speaks of a need for spiritual readiness for the return of Christ. When Christ returns there will be no time for last minute preparations. While this parable is a warning for those Jewish believers who will live through the tribulation, we too need to be spiritually ready for when Christ comes to meet us or we go home to be with Him. Our life on earth is the time we have to take the talents and gifts God has given us and multiply them to His glory. None of us know how long we have, let us not waste it on selfish living.