The parable of the Ten Virgins found at the beginning of Matthew 25 reveals how essential it is for us to recognize the importance of preparation. In the story there are 10 young women who are waiting for the groom to return to his home with his wife so that those who wait can begin the celebration of this new marriage. In the first century Middle Eastern culture, weddings were a very big deal and were celebrated accordingly. The groom would leave his home with a few selected friends and walk to the home of his new bride. Then this party would dance and sing all the way back to the grooms home often taking the long way back in order to extend the celebration and to let as many people in the village as possible know about the joyous event. This tradition resulted in long delays. [i]
The 10 Virgins, or young women, would have been waiting for the return of the groom with his bride along with everyone else. Essential to the story is the important fact that in this culture it was very important that women keep a lamp with them at all times if their activities would lead into the night. According to Kenneth Bailey, this lamp served not only to help them see, but more importantly was used to illuminate their face so that they would be identified in the dark. A woman without a lamp was opening herself up to unwanted speculation regarding her motives.[ii]
Now, in the story all 10 women are excited for the celebration and are waiting with great anticipation for the honored party to arrive. All have their lamps lit and seem prepared for the bride and groom to arrive. But, the night wares on and the arrival is delayed, so much so, that all 10 of these wary celebrants fall asleep. While they sleep the oil in their lamps runs out. Then, in the middle of sleep they are aroused with the shouts of the parties return. Five of the women have prepared for such a delay, for they immediately grab a small flask of oil and replenish their lamps. The other five, however, have not prepared and begin to demand that the oil of the others be shared with them. However, there is only enough oil in each flask to replenish one lamp. So, the five negligent Virgins are left to go and find some more oil. While they are away all who were prepared, go into the house to begin the celebration and the door is shut. Finally, the other five arrive, but it is too late, for the Lord of the house answers their plea to “open up for us” with, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”
This is a sobering end to the parable. The interpretations of this passage vary. Some try and make every element of the story represent something in reality. In truth this parable, while certainly possessing enough content for numerous applications, has one essential point, namely, that if anyone intends to be a follower of Christ, then they best prepare for a lengthy, and often times, arduous journey. It has been referred to as “easy believism” or as Bonhoeffer said, “Cheap Grace” this idea that being a disciple of Christ amounts to some shallow acknowledgement of Jesus without any real personal cost. But, true discipleship is revealed over time, as one travels along in life and is given many opportunities to put their faith in Jesus. Each time we exercise our faith we replenish our lamps. Even while we sleep and our lamps go out, we have walked with Jesus enough to trust that He knows us and that we know Him and that this truth illuminates us for his arrival.
It is my conviction that all within the church culture could be placed in this parable, either on the side of the five prudent or five negligent virgins. All 10 appeared excited and ready, but as time wore on and the groom delayed, it was discovered that five virgins were in reality pretenders. One might even conclude that their presence at the celebration was to benefit themselves, rather than to celebrate this beautiful marriage. Let each of us examine ourselves to make sure that our faith in Christ does not wane as the long night overcomes us and we sleep. Let us know for sure, that when the Lord arrives, our faith and confidence is not in ourselves, but in his generous mercy and infinite grace.
Waiting with oil for His Return
Pastor Gibbs
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