Parables - Be Ready

Parable of the Ten Virgins

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

For when the foolish ones took their lamps, they took no oil with them.

But the wise ones took oil in jars along with their lamps.

“Now while the bridegroom was taking a long time, they all got drowsy and started falling asleep.

But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

Now the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, since our lamps are going out.’

But the wise ones replied, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Instead, go to those who sell, and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were going off to buy, the bridegroom came. And those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.

Now later, the other virgins came, saying, ‘Sir, Sir, open up for us!’

“But he replied, ‘Amen, I tell you, I do not know you.’

Therefore stay alert, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Matthew 25:1-13

[This is the 10th lesson in this series]

Jesus often taught using parables (or stories). In this instance He was telling a story about the end days. He was in a roll and was telling illustration after illustration about what the end of days will be like.

By this time, from all His previous teachings, many would just be wanting to hear more about what He had to say about the end of days.

Savior

With the arrival of Jesus, the Kingdom of God has come to those who have believed in Him.

But the Jewish people weren't waiting for a Messiah quite like Jesus. They were mainly looking for a Messiah to free them from slavery from the Romans and their government.

And also from their strict religious regulations and  Jewish traditions.

Now Jesus indeed gave them the opportunity to be free them from the latter and also from any personal barriers they may have placed around their own selves. And from the slavery of sin and death (both of which He defeated). 

In the End of Days

After Jesus left, He promised to come back and that time He will finally set believers who were still alive, to be free from everything that have enslaved them.

With this and other parables He was referring to that appointed time -- the end days.

Wedding Analogy

Jesus choose one of the most elaborate and happiest moments in the life of a Jew -- the wedding to tell this illustration.

The traditional Jewish wedding is a little different than what they practice today. And it would be a lot more different than those outside their part of the world.

Background

Many of us may need a little background on their old wedding practices so we would be able to listen to this parable like how those people who were hearing this at the time.

In the Old Testament times, the father of the groom would choose the bride for his son. Traditionally he may designate a specific person to do the selection. When that person appointed had found one, he would ask from the parents their daughter's hand in marriage and consent from the bride to be. 

The person chosen is then betrothed to her husband and then they will perform what they customarily had to do. They are then, essentially married but would not be living as husband and wife just yet.

Preparing their Home

After this the husband will go away and prepare the place where he and his wife will spend their life together. And this process could take a very long time.

At the same time, the bride will do the preparations for the (main) wedding.

When the groom gets back there will be a procession and the ceremony. And because this will be at night, there will need to be lamps to light the way.

[Now that we understand their culture, when we read that parable again we will be able to do so with a different perspective]

Wedding

After the procession, there will be the wedding ceremony and afterwards they will all go indoors for the wedding banquet celebration. 

Now everything in the parable will tie up. It is at this time when those foolish virgins (bridesmaids) came back after getting the oil to light their lamps. The doors to the wedding party has already been closed. And they were shall we say, late to the party. When they knocked at the door, the response from the inside was "I do not know you".

Now there is another instance in the bible where Jesus gave a story where someone also said, I do not know you.

Matthew 7:21-23

"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Such will be on the end of days.

Jesus (the groom) went back to heaven to prepare a place for His church (His bride). He will come back a second time for His bride. And He will bring those who are ready and waiting for His return, back home to the wedding supper in heaven. 

There are other interpretations than this one. And with many other people pointing out the finer details. In the time of Jesus, the best way was always to ask Jesus to explain the story for them.

If you reread the parable again and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, then He too will reveal more for you. And it will be like fresh manna from heaven, this is a good way to study Scripture.

Parables Series