.png)
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom." (Matthew 25:1) It was traditional, in the Jewish culture, for the bride maidens to light the way for the Bridegrooms arrival to meet his Bride. One of the tasks of the bride maidens, if not the most important, were to keep watch for the Bridegrooms arrival and keep their lamps burning. During dawn and dusk, even if the Bridegrooms arrival was delayed, no matter the circumstance, they were to keep their lamps lit, oil burning, ready and kept vessels at all times. "Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." (Matthew 25: 2-4) The wise virgins took great delight that they were chosen to accompany the Bride and partake in the Wedding celebration. They were honored. They knew to keep their lamps lit with oil at all times. If their lamps were to ever go dim, have plenty more on hand. After all, they are to prepare and light the way for the Bridegroom. Even while washing, cleaning and tending to the needs of the Bride, they kept their lamps lit. The wise virgins held this task as the highest ascension in their hearts.
On the delay of the Bridegrooms arrival, the Foolish Virgins had time to leave the tending of the Bride, perhaps tend to other cares, so they thought. They had began to doubt in their heart that he would ever arrive. Therefore one got a job as a housekeeper, that kept her so busy that she didn’t realize that her lamp was growing dim and her oil had burned out. Another bride maiden fell in love. Her heart had been drawn away by her own lusts and affections. Her devotion to the Bridegroom quickly faded away and so did her light. The other three bride maidens took heed to a garden of rose bushes. Oh there was always a need to water and pick and uproot weeds. The maintenance was great. Their once delight and adoration for the arrival of the Bridegroom wasn't so appealing anymore. Caught up with the cares of the world, the attending of their lamp became absolute. Slowly and surely the light that once radiated from their vessels, vanished.
"And at midnight a cry was heard: Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him! Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered saying, No lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord open to us! But he answered and said, Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you." The Bridegroom finally came and the wise virgins were ready! However, the foolish virgins were caught sleeping and unprepared to light the way for the Bridegroom. They were not allowed to go into the Wedding.
The moral of this parable that was told by Jesus, "keep your oil burning." See life never got too busy for the wise virgins, that they neglected their devotion/relationship with the lamp. The oil represents your relationship with God. Stay prayerful, stay pressing into His presence daily, meditating on the splendor of his Word. The wise virgins didn't go days without lighting their lamps, no, their vessels were hot to touch at all times. For they never knew the exact time that the Bridegroom would make his great debut, so they stayed tentative and prepared. I'm sure you all have heard it over and over again that Jesus is coming soon, but I write to encourage you on today to prepare the way for the Lord. He is sure to come. Lets not be like the foolish virgins that let their lamps go out, doubting the coming of the Bridegroom. Forsaken his arrival all together. At all times, "Let your light shine before men that they might see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:15-16)
Jesus Is That Good,
Pamelia Walker
Comments