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Devotion – Matthew 25:1-13 – Mar. 18, 2010Matthew 25:1-13 – March 18, 2010
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13
Among the Jews in Jesus’ day, parents arranged the betrothal of their children at which, by mutual consent of the man and woman, they were married. After this the bride and groom waited a certain time before they lived together as husband and wife. Finally the wedding celebration took place and the bridegroom went to take his bride home with him. Maiden companions of the bride would meet him and escort him to his bride. They took their lamps to light the way. Jesus uses this festive occasion as an example of his Second Coming. He is the Bridegroom coming to take his bride, the church, home with him to heaven. The ten virgins in his parable are those on earth who are waiting for his return and desiring to join him at the heavenly feast.
The bride and her attendants were certain that the groom was coming, but they did not know exactly when he would arrive. This is the same with Jesus’ return. He will come back just as he promised. There is no question about the certainty of his coming. What is unknown, though, is when he will return.
With this parable Jesus emphasizes the need to be ready for his coming. He describes five foolish and five wise virgins waiting the bridegroom. They all took their oil lamps. But five took no oil; they had only that which was in their lamps. That was foolish. The supply wouldn’t be enough while they waited. Five were wise; they had a good supply of oil and thus were ready when the bridegroom arrived to burn their lamps for the festive procession to the house.
The lamp oil represents faith in Jesus as Savior. “Wise” Christians have faith which endures to the end. They do so in the only way possible: hearing and learning the Word of God. By the energy of his Word, God causes the flame of faith to burn in their hearts. Not so with the others who will foolishly claim to be Christians at Christ’s return but lack faith. Perhaps they once started strong in the faith; their lights burned brightly and they were excited in the anticipation of the glory which the returning Christ would bring them. But Jesus has tarried a long time, and in that period of time the oil of faith in these people has been used up.
So Jesus says to us, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Since we cannot know the time of Christ’s final coming, the spiritually wise course for us is to be alert and watchful at all times. We will fill ourselves with God’s Word, and by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we will be ready to meet Jesus at the all-decisive hour of his return. Then we will rejoice because Jesus our heavenly bridegroom will welcome us to the feast of eternal joy!
Fuel my faith with the energy of your Word. Anticipating your glorious return, preserve me in saving faith until the end and take me to live in glory with you. Amen.
Today’s Devotion is brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com
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