Jump Start # 240

Matthew 25:8-9 “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.”

  The verses I’ve selected for today are part of a conversation between the wise and foolish virgins—commonly known as the Parable of the virgins. Matthew 25 sets forth a series of parables about the coming of Jesus. The first parable, the wise and foolish virgins, has Jesus, as the groom, gone and everyone is anticipating his return. The second image is that of a master who has given his servants some money, or talents. Upon his return he wants to see what they have done with that money. The final picture is of the glorious shepherd who gathers all the sheep around him.

  Three parables and three lessons.

• The groom, Jesus, is gone but he is returning. You don’t know when, so be ready.
• The talents, the Master, Jesus, is gone and is returning. You are going to be judged for the way you handled his things.
• The shepherd, Jesus, is the judge. He will separate the sheep from the goats. Live righteously.

  Jesus is coming. That is certain. Don’t fall for these movies and books that tell you when, because we don’t know. That is the point of this first parable. They knew he was coming, they just didn’t know when.

  Let’s give some thought to the parable of the virgins. First of all, we must realize that the American concept of a wedding is so different than what happened in the first century. I have a son who is getting married this week. The date and time and place has been set for months. Invitations have been sent out and everyone knows when it will be. In the first century, the day of the wedding would be chosen and people would be invited, but the exact hour would not be set. It took a long time to prepare the food. So those invited knew the day, not the hour. The bride and all her friends, in this case there were 10 young ladies, would be waiting at the home of the bride’s  parents. The groom and all his people were at his parents house, busy getting things ready. Finally, when everything was ready, the groom and his people would walk to the in-laws house. It was often a parade—with drums beating and a big fan fair. They would meet and everyone would return to the groom’s parents house where the wedding feast would take place.

  That is the setting. The girls are waiting. The groom is busy getting things ready. It’s taking a long time, longer than most expected. Longer than 5 of the girls anticipated. The oil runs out. They all sleep. Then at midnight, a shout. He’s coming. Ten girls jump up. I can only imagine the hair brushes being passed around, everyone getting ready. It’s dark. They must use oil lamps. Five of the girls now have no oil. They can’t see. They can’t get ready. They panic. The groom is coming. They can’t go as they are. They beg the others for oil, there’s not enough. Some things just can’t be shared. They hurry off to buy oil—at midnight? We’re not talking about a 24-hour Walmart, this is the first century. While they are gone, the groom came. All leave and go to the wedding feast, except these five, who are out looking for oil. The show up at the place of the wedding, late. The doors are shut and will not be opened. They missed it.

  Have you noticed the similarities between the wise and foolish virgins? Both were ready at first. Had the groom came earlier, all would have made it. The foolish were not clueless that this was the wedding day. They were ready at first. Next, notice they all went to sleep, the wise and the foolish. There seems to be no rebuking the girls for sleeping.

  The difference lies in that the foolish did not prepare for a long delay. They didn’t have any extra oil. The wise did.

  Now, what’s the point of all this? Jesus is coming. We know that. Not everyone does. Not everyone even knows who Jesus is. But His disciples know. He is coming—the Bible says so. Among His people, those who are invited, those who want to come to the feast, those who have already made plans to be there, some of those, some of us, may not be ready when He comes. We’re ready at first, especially soon after our salvation. We’re excited, we love to praise the Lord. But time passes. Life happens. We get busy. Our oil runs low, our flame flickers and then goes out. We sleep spiritually. We are unaware. We don’t notice. Then comes a shout and then it’s too late.

  Have you ever noticed how many times the Bible says, “Be alert.” It’s the idea of being ready. Don’t let your oil go out. Have you checked your supply? How much do you have left? Enough to get through today? Do you have enough to get through the holidays?

  Many commentators have suggested what they think the oil represents. Some think faith, some say love, some say dedication. I’m not sure it was intended to mean anything other than be ready at all times.

  The five foolish were no different than those who were not invited in the first place. They missed it. They are left standing outside the door.

  Good story for us to remember. Keep the light burning…keep an eye on your supply of oil.

Roger