““Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.”
This is one of my favorite parables because it shows us how love and determination can lead us to be wise. We so easily get caught up with what we desire and making sure we do our thing first, when God wants us to die to self and follow Jesus. What stands out to me is the fact that the five wise bridesmaids didn't only bring enough, they brought extra. They planned for something they wanted so badly, to see the bridegroom, and it made them think beyond the norm.
Are we ready for the bridegroom to come? Do we have enough oil? Look what it says in verse 5, “When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.” There was no chance to prepare at this moment, when we are wise and we co-labor with Jesus daily we allow His love to grow in our hearts. We have every opportunity to learn from God, seek wisdom, and be ready for each day, we can't think of it as work but of a needed relationship. When we let God transform us we alway are refilling the oil and the Holy Spirit become who He really is for us, our source of comfort, guidance and truth.
John chapter 14 verses 15-17 says this, ““If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you.” We have Him in us helping us grow and showing us what is right for the glory of God not ourselves. As we read in Matthew chapter 25 verses 7-8 it says, ““All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’”
We can't depend on someone else to keep us ready we must desire a relationship for ourselves and keep our lamps burning. As the parable continues we see the five bridesmaids needing to go buy more oil and this is what happens in verse 10. “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.” Let's not get comfortable or complacent, let's keep focused and be wise. I never want to be the one that hears this as the bridesmaids did in verses 11-12, “Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But He called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’”
Always be ready and seek to be wise because our lives in this world has no guarantees, but in Christ we are guaranteed eternal life. Amen