MATTHEW 25 1-13 ampParable of Ten Virgins
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 [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. 11 Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ 12 But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ 13 Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].
Are you really so sure that you will be ready when Christ comes for his bride? I’m not trying to scare you or put self-doubt in your mind, but we, as the church, have been focusing on the wrong things. Making simple assumptions like, I do go to church, I don’t swear, I don’t steal, etc. only makes you a good person, but do you really know Christ and have made Him Lord over all of you. Do you follow God with all that you are, and when people talk about you, say, “This person LOVES God!”
The “oil” for your lamp in this parable is your LOVE for Christ the groom. If you really love Jesus, you will do whatever it takes to get closer to him and upkeep a daily relationship with him. Will you leave everything and follow him because you love him? Oil = Relationship!
Too many of us follow “the church” and “the cross” but not God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. We love to be part of an idea but have fallen short of the truth. Having heard of Christ, or believing in Christ because that is what my family does, won’t get you into heaven. My question to you is this: do you live for Christ? Have you surrendered your life to him? Do you deem it important enough to keep oil in your lamp?
Father, I have been foolish in thinking that I can keep you happy by only offering you my “crumbs”, I have failed to see the truth of who you are. Please forgive me! I bow down at your feet, I surrender all! Teach me how to keep enough oil for my lamp, so when your Son comes to fetch his bride, I will be one of them.
In Jesus’ name Amen!
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