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Leg 4 Day 17
Signs: Parable of the Ten Virgins
Jesus In Us
Scripture:
MATTHEW 25:1-13
MATTHEW 25:1-13 (The Message)
“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.”
“In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bridegroom’s here! Go out and greet him!’”
“The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’”
“They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’”
“They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.”
“Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’”
“He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’”
“So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.”
Life Lessons from Jesus:
In this story, the women knew that the groom was coming, without a doubt. They only had one job: to be ready. That was the moment they were supposed to be introduced to the groom and would enter the wedding alongside him.
Back then, if you showed up late to an event like this, after they locked the doors, after everyone in the party supposedly had already entered, you would most likely be denied entry for safety reasons. Arriving once the doors were shut could mean you were a threat, someone meant to be barred from the celebration.
These young women had the opportunity to prepare themselves properly, but not all fo them did. This isn’t about missing the message; they knew the groom was on his way. They were well aware. It’s why they were waiting. This is about being ready when you first start out and then letting your guard down, or not being prepared for the long-haul.
Life is a journey. Some of us start strong and slowly our lives get in the way. Some of us don’t want to take on the extra effort in the first place, then we find ourselves in a different spot, far from where we’re meant to be, and it’s too late to go back and do it over. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, so we need to start making changes today.
The WAY:
Consider these questions as you reflect on today’s reading:
Why do you think Jesus used young brides in this parable regarding His return?
How does this wedding compare with wedding imagery in other parts of the Bible?
Thinking of the brides and their decisions, in what ways do you think you’ve been foolish like them?
In what ways do you think you’ve been wise?
Prayer:
God, it can be so easy to get lulled into a false sense of security, to start thinking that we have all the time in the world. But we do not know Your timing. Help us commit to sticking with this journey and seeking a heart like Yours today. Help us to be more loving and live life with purpose starting today. Please give us the strength and perseverance to keep that going. In Your name, Amen.