Scripture
So, my disciples, always be ready! You don't know the day or the time when all this will happen.
Observation
Jesus talked a lot about weddings as illustrations of the Kingdom. There are many facets to this-- celebration, intimacy in relationship, community, being ready for the event itself.
Here we have a gaggle of girls who had set out to meet the groom and form a procession with him to the bride's house. For some reason the groom is delayed and the oil of some of the girls' lamps is used up. Some of the girls were wise and brought extra oil which they refused to share with the others. So while those who had lacked foresight were away buying the needed oil, the groom arrives. The wise girls get to go in to the wedding while their foolish friends were locked out.
It is interesting that in all of Jesus; parables about weddings, there is a group that is included and a group that is excluded. The wedding, far from being a universal celebration, becomes an occasion for judgement.
Application
This is about the coming of the Kingdom and our need to be prepared for the Day. In this parable the point of the judgement is the preparation, or lack of it, which brings acceptance or exclusion.
Our light must be shining in the darkness when the groom returns!
Did the wise girls anticipate that the groom would be late? Perhaps they knew what he was like because they knew him and had a relationship with him. The other girls assumed he would do the normal thing and come along at a convenient time. The difference is between knowing Jesus and trusting in religious forms and traditions.
Prayer
My Saviour, let me always be ready for your coming!May there always be oil in my lamp shining and burning for you. Amen..
I always loved that parable, it makes it easy for us to see why we need to be prepared.
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