Be prepared. That is not just the motto of the Boy Scouts. Many people can look back at some times in their lives where they lost out on something important or something fun, all because they were not properly prepared. And even more importantly, being unprepared can sometimes end up with tragic results. Today’s Gospel account from this past week’s Lectionary from the Book of Common Prayer is a parable that Jesus told during the week before His crucifixion, a parable that stressed being ready and prepared. Let’s take a look at this Scripture.
Wedding customs in the days of the New Testament were a little different from most customs today. Preparation for the wedding and the celebrations following were usually handled by the groom and his family. The celebrations would usually last a whole week, and preparations for that would start several weeks before then. When all the preparations were done, the groom would go to the bride’s house to bring her and her attendants to his place. The “parade” back to his home was a part of the celebrations. This is where our parable today begins.
There were ten virgins who were waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom (vs. 1). These women were attendants for the bride, they were not ten brides for the groom. They would be like bridesmaids today. As it was evening, they each had oil lamps with them. The groom was delayed in coming, and these women began to get drowsy, and they all fell asleep (vs. 5). Finally, at midnight, the call came that the bridegroom was coming (vs. 6). The women woke up and trimmed their lamps. However five of these women did not bring any extra oil for their lamps, and their light was going out. They asked to borrow oil from the five who did bring enough. The five who were prepared declined to give their oil to the others in order to ensure that they had enough (vs. 8-9). While the unprepared women went to buy more oil, the bridegroom came and brought the five to the celebrations (vs. 10). When the others returned, they were turned away at the gate. They were not ready or prepared (vs. 11-12).
The parable is a picture of the church at the time of Jesus’ return. Jesus is the Bridegroom. The bridesmaids are believers - both true believers and those who pretend to be so. The lamps refer to their lies, which are either prepared or unprepared. And the oil is the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in our lives, which prepares us to give forth light.
We need to be ready and prepared for when Jesus returns. Just like the bridesmaids did not know exactly when the groom would come, we do not know exactly when Jesus will return, either. Those bridesmaids who were not prepared ended up missing out on taking part in the celebrations. We need to be prepared, for when Jesus comes again we will give an account over the state of our hearts. We need to keep watch, and always be prepared to meet Jesus. Our life here on earth can end in a split second (James 4:14). Nor do we know the day or the hour when the Lord will return. When that day comes, all that will matter is whether we have been prepared by believing in Jesus, and by serving Him on earth.
Old-time oil lamps needed a consistent flow of oil in them to keep the light burning brightly. In like manner we need a consistent flow of the Holy Spirit within our hearts and lives, which comes by our faith in Jesus, along with obedience to Him and His Word. Without oil, the lamp was useless, just as all religious activity is worthless without the Holy Spirit residing in our hearts.
The foolish women wanted to borrow oil from the wise ones, but were turned down. We cannot “borrow” from the salvation of others. Just because someone’s grandparents founded a local church, or their brother is a missionary, or their sister is a nun, they cannot base their salvation on that. Every person is responsible for their own spiritual condition. The foolish women were sadly mistaken when they came to the door and were denied entry. They thought that just because they claimed to be bridesmaids they would get in. The same will happen to many who claim to be Christians, but will be told to depart when they come to the gates of heaven (vs. 11-12). Just because one is “religious” does not make them a true Christian, or a child of God.
Just as these women did not know when the groom would come, no one knows the day of Jesus’ return. All speculation is useless. Our responsibility is to continually watch for His coming, and be in a perpetual state of readiness and eager anticipation for His return. Our lives should be lived as if He were to come today. When Jesus does return, there will be no second chances for the unprepared. Be prepared now, for there will come a time when it is too late. Be ready and prepared now, today!
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