EXTRA OR ENOUGH?
Opening Prayer
Lord, you hear both my prayers and my complaints. I love you; still, I sometimes disregard you. I long for you today.
Read MATTHEW 25:1–13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “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.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Pray for a friend or family member who doesn’t know Jesus.Jesus tells this parable to underscore the point made in yesterday’s passage: we must be ready at any moment because we do not know when he will return.
The virgins in this passage had a role similar to that of modern-day bridesmaids: to prepare and accompany the bride on her wedding day. It is an honor to have this role, and there is excitement and anticipation. The UK tradition is for the bride to be late, but in this case it is the bridegroom they are waiting for. In fact, he’s so late they all fall asleep.
We are told that the difference between the wise and foolish virgins is whether or not they had brought extra oil for their lamps. I guess the foolish virgins assumed either that what they had would be enough, or that they could skip out and buy more tomorrow. It was an assumption that cost them their place at the feast. Having enough but no more wasn’t enough in the long run. The implication is that to be wise is to recognize that Jesus might come at any time and to be prepared for that possibility. Following Jesus doesn’t mean simply sitting back, complacently awaiting his return. We need to be fully committed in our living for him, not just going through the motions. When Jesus comes, we won’t be able to rely on someone else’s extra oil.
Apply
How prepared do you feel? Talk to Jesus about it.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, from every detour and distraction that dazzles me, disentangle me. From every wrong turn, redeem me. Patient Father, slow me down and turn me to you, I pray.
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