The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids - 10 April 2009
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids[a] who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ 13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. Matthew 25:1-12 (NLT)
A while ago there was a popular chorus, ‘Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning’ based, I suppose, on this parable. I always used to think it was unfair that the wise virgins were so mean and didn’t help the foolish ones and that the bridegroom said he didn’t know them just because they ran out of oil.
But I had it back to front. I suppose the people of the time were aware of exactly which custom Jesus was referring to here. It would have been a recognised part of their lives. The young women waiting to escort the bridegroom into the wedding would have been female relatives and close friends and would have known the bridegroom well enough to know when he would arrive. In fact I wouldn’t mind betting that he himself supplied the oil in advance because this is the point that Jesus makes.
When we know Him and rely on Him to supply our needs we will never run out. Only those who think it is necessary to supply their own can be caught out. They are the ones that the bridegroom does not know, just hangers on who want to get into the party.
It is Good Friday and we commemorate the day when Jesus died. At the moment of His death the curtain that separated God from man in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. We can now know God and come into His presence through Jesus.
That is my challenge for today. Consider how well you know God and if you can trust Him to supply what you need. Or are there needs you feel you have to beg, steal borrow or buy from others who have them? | 