Scripture: “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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.’ 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. 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.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13 ESV
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Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, Jesus addresses passiveness versus readiness. Building on his theme of actively waiting, Jesus first dispels the notion that anyone (outside the Father) knows the day and hour of his return, including his incarnate self. He then draws parallels to the suddenness of the Son of Man’s return, citing the days of Noah leading up to the flood and two other instances of everyday life (work and rest). Thus, given the unknown time of his return, Jesus challenges his disciples to consider whether they will exercise faith and wisdom to carry on his mission. For if they do, their reward will be great. But for those who slack and live selfish and reckless lives, judgment at his return will come without warning, and they will face eternal suffering in the company of fellow evil-doers.
In today’s sixth segment, Jesus continues the theme of faithful readiness but extends the focus beyond the events of his Parousia to the end goal: the eternal celebration with the Bridegroom and all his extended family in his kingdom. Per a parable, he tells of ten virgins invited to a bridegroom’s wedding feast. Five wisely carry oil reserves in flasks to ensure their wicks burn all night. The others foolishly bring no extra oil—not accounting for unforeseen delays. As would have it, the bridegroom appears late (midnight), and the wise virgins are ready to meet him. The foolish beg the wise for oil but to no avail. So they scamper to the market and miss the window of opportunity to participate in the wedding feast. And despite the pleas to the bridegroom upon their return, he summarily dismisses them. And to make sure his disciples do not miss the point of his parable, Jesus tells them to be watchful, for they know not the day nor the hour (of his return).
Takeaway: In ancient Israel, those familiar with the prophetic writings would connect with the wedding motif of Yahweh as the bridegroom of Israel (see Isaiah 54:4–6; 62:4-5; Ezekiel 16:7–34; Hosea 2:19). In a traditional wedding, the bridegroom, with close friends, would go to the bride’s home for the nuptial ceremonies, followed by a procession of the wedding party and guests through the streets to his home after nightfall for the wedding feast. The ten virgins in this parable are bridesmaids who assist the bride before and after the ceremony. As Matthew records the only account of this parable (not found in the other Gospels), he recalls only the salient details, which are not remarkably cohesive to the traditional flow of a wedding. (Perhaps being somewhat of a pariah as a tax collector, he has had few, if any, invites to weddings—lol!) Nevertheless, the conclusion is clear: be prepared lest you find the door shut in your face. And given the bridegroom tells these five bridesmaids who have not put in the effort to serve the bride appropriately, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you” (v.12 above), the parable’s conclusion also communicates judgment is final—no plea bargaining.
Our takeaway? We must be careful not to apply this parable to our sanctification process. Grace and forgiveness abound with our missteps under Christ’s New Covenant of Grace. This lesson applies to those who conduct their lives cavalierly, with no sense of genuine faith and repentance, but instead rely on themselves to sort things out with God at life’s end. Or it applies to those spiritually slothfully who believe they can ride on the shirttails of others into the kingdom of heaven. While we need the community of believers to help us along in our journey, no degree of pedigree can overcome a dead faith. And while a sincere end-of-life act of repentance and profession of faith is enough (as evidenced by the thief crucified next to Jesus at Calvary, Luke 23:39-43), the last-minute purchase of fire insurance is not. And, like the foolish bridesmaids, we will miss the feast while shopping. Moreover, we will miss a life of blessings as ready and faithful servants (referring to yesterday’s Daily Focus). So live life fully, relying solely on our gift of faith through grace to do the good works God has prepared for us as faithful servants of the Bridegroom (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, our good and gracious Bridegroom, who has brought us sufficient oil to heal our souls. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who guides and matures us in faith and repentance, which prepares us for entry into your Son’s glorious wedding banquet. So with grateful hearts, would you please help us live a life of readiness as faithful servants of the Bridegroom? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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