Be Ready

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.   Matthew 25:1-13

As Holy week continued Jesus taught whenever he had the opportunity. He knew His earthly time was coming to an end. He taught parables, some about His second coming. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Here we have a story about ten young women going to a wedding. A wedding is a wonderful celebration and a time for great rejoicing. People would dress up and get “ready” for the feast. They would also bring lamps with oil to light up the path for the celebration which would last late into the night.

When we go to a wedding today we get ready before we get there. Everything is done before we enter into the church or reception. We make sure we are clean and showered, not a hair out of place, makeup and jewelry perfect. Our clothing is pressed and everything matches.

The parable tells us that five of the young women were prepared and five were not prepared. The five that were not prepared thought about it too late. Who would ever use a lamp and not bring oil to fill it? Weddings were typically held at night. The people attending knew they were held at night, and a lamp would be needed.

The foolish, or unprepared, fell asleep not thinking of the empty lamps. In the middle of a nice nap a loud cry is made, “The Bridegroom is here go and meet him”. All of a sudden the foolish realize they have no oil, the path will not be lit for them. They run to the wise and say, “Give us some oil, our lamps are dry.”

“We cannot do that”, say the wise “there is not enough for both of us. Go and buy some oil for yourself.” The foolish left and missed the Bridegroom, by the time they came back it was too late, the door was shut and they could not get in.

Are we watching and waiting for the Lord? Are we so busy in the busyness of life that we totally forget about God and His word during the week?

Are we prepared for the coming of the Lord? When the trumpet sounds, it will be too late (I Corinthians 15:52). Now is the accepted time, now is the time of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2)

Have a blessed day,
Donna