Parable of the Ten Virgins
The parable of the ten virgins, in which, five ran out of oil for their lamps is an example of being prepared. We must be always aware that our lamps are the illumination of Jesus Christ. We must be watchful and prepared not to run out of that illumination and be always ready for the return of Christ.
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus tells the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Five of the ten virgins were wise and five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps, and did not take oil for the lamps. The wise of the ten virgins took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom lingered, the ten virgins all slumbered and slept. It was at midnight that there came a cry claiming the bridegroom was coming and were told to go out and meet him.
All the ten virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said unto the wise “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.”
The wise virgins answered, saying, “No; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you to them that sell oil, and buy for yourselves.”
While the foolish virgins went to buy the oil, the bridegroom came; and the five virgins that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Then came the five foolish virgins, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” The bridegroom answered and said, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”
Jesus concluded by saying “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
What Can Be Learned From This Lesson?
Let’s first look at what a Jewish marriage was like. It took place in three stages over a long period of time. When the couple was still very young, an Engagement was arranged by the parents, sometimes with the help of a “matchmaker”.
Second, there was a Betrothal ceremony held at the bride’s house. The couple exchanged vows and the groom gave the bride presents. This period lasted for a year or two, but the bride continued to live with her parents. During this time the bride was said to be “betrothed” or “espoused” to the young man.
The Marriage Supper came next. It usually happened at night. The groom and his friends came to the bride’s house. She would be wearing a thick veil. She and her friends would accompany the groom and his friends to his father’s house or maybe a larger hall where the festivities would take place. A contract was signed.
These were a time of great celebration for the bride and groom, their parents, and all their families and friends. Jesus told the parable about ten virgins that were waiting for the bridegroom to come so they could follow him into the great marriage supper. This tells us that these virgins were friends of the bridegroom.
Did you know that Jesus has been referred to as the bridegroom? Let’s relook at this parable with that in mind that Jesus Christ is the bridegroom and we are waiting for our Lord to come and take us into the banquet of the marriage supper.
Once it becomes might time we light our light for Jesus and keep them burring very brightly. It has been a long wait and the anticipation has made us very tired so we sleep.
Then comes the cry “Here comes Jesus come out and meet Him.” While we slept our lamps began to go out a little because the oil has burned away and the flames were getting smaller. Some of us are ready for this to happen and we brought extra oil to refill our lamps. We remained ready to greet our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are some who were foolish and did not come prepared with extra oil. They had to go buy more oil from the merchants who would sell it to them. When they returned ready to greet Jesus it was too late He had already gone into the great banquet hall and had shut the door. Jesus tells those who are not prepared for His return that He did not know them.
This parable teaches us we need to live our lives in such a way that we are always ready for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord. We need to always be prepared and be ready for that glorious day when Jesus will return to take us into the marriage feast of the Lord. We need to be forever faithful and remain prepared for His return.
We must be always aware that our lamps are that illumination of Jesus Christ. We must be watchful and prepared not to run out of that illumination and be always ready for the return of Christ. Are you ready?
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Parable of the Ten Virgins:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1918,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “Parable of the Ten Virgins:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1918,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “Parable of the Ten Virgins:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1918, (accessed).
