The parable of the ten virgins is one such occasion. This account takes place in Matthew chapter 25. The first thirteen versus describe a story about a wedding ceremony, and the ancient Jewish tradition of the bridegroom leaving his own house to meet his future wife. After the ceremony and festivities have completed, tradition has it that the groom would then walk back to his own home with his new wife, being followed by the 'bridal party.' In this parable, the ten virgins represent the party.
It was customary to bring torches with you to light the path, because the procession usually took place at night. There were no street lamps two-thousand years ago it would seem. Jesus then tells us that five of the virgins were wise and brought plenty of extra oil to keep their lamps lit. The other five, however, were foolish and brought only enough oil for a short period of time.
Scripture says that because the bridegroom was delayed in starting the processional, half the bridal party had dark torches. The foolish ones then pleaded with the wise followers who still had oil. They were told to go back to the store and buy oil for themselves. Matthew 25:10 says, "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.'"
Oil is often symbolic for the Holy Spirit in the Bible. The idea here is not that the five foolish people should have become doomsday hoarders and stacked up a closet full of lamp oil at home. But rather, that the Holy Spirit isn't transferable from person to person like some type of common currency. It isn't the same idea as asking your friend for twenty-dollars so you can join in the fun. The foolish virgins were told to 'go back to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourself.' In the process of seeking out religious justification, the bridegroom returned and took the five who were ready. The others simply ran out of time.
The lesson here is relatively simple: when Jesus comes back at the end of all things, we need to be ready to go. The church needs to be prepared, the individual Christian needs to be born again, and everyone needs to have plenty of oil (the Spirit dwelling in them).
It is worthy to note also here, that we humans will not always be able to tell who has enough oil, and who doesn't. From our limited vantage point, they can often look the same. Matthew 13:24-30 addresses this and talks about what it's like to plant a field with good seed. The farmer does his part, but eventually, once the wheat begins to grow, weeds come up alongside the harvest. We see this in our own gardens and fields today.
When asked about how the field was planted, the farmer responds by telling us that an enemy snuck in and sowed weeds among the wheat. Matthew 13:28-29 says, "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.'"
I believe the parable of the weeds acts to buttress the notion that you and I won't know (and cannot judge) who among us will be allowed into the wedding feast when Jesus returns. We certainly hope that it is us, but the truth of the matter is that Jesus is the final judge. He is the bridegroom in the parable, and he makes the final call to come in or not.
The door is then shut for good.
Salvation is offered to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, and we are currently living in a time of grace. We have time to weigh the Scriptures and think about the costs of following Christ. But it won't be like this forever. There will come a day when it's too late to run after more oil. Jesus tells us to keep watch, because it can sneak up on us like a thief in the night. It will happen quickly.
I want to be part of the bridal party and the evening procession. I will carry enough oil with me to go the distance, even if the bridegroom takes his time. My heart belongs to God, and He directs my steps. I hope the same for all of you. I want to be called up to the wedding banquet, and if the door is sealed shut, then I want to be on the inside when it happens.
Use this time that we have been given to seek earnestly after a loving God, to accept the free gift of salvation offered through Jesus, and repent of your sin, so that you might be forgiven. Keep the lamps clean and the oil ready. And when the bridegroom does return, it will be natural to follow him to the banquet.
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