The Foolish Bridesmaids
June 27, 2021
Commentary
Jesus illustrates the Kingdom of Heaven with a story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom (v. 1). Five were foolish and took no oil for their lamps (vv. 2-3). The other five were wise and took extra oil for their lamps (v. 4). As they waited they all laid down to take a nap and at midnight there was a shout to come out and welcome Him (vv. 5-6). All the bridesmaids jumped up to prepare their lamps (v. 7). The five foolish ones asked the five wise ones if they could have some of their oil (v. 8). The wise ones said they did not have enough for everyone and suggested they go and buy some for themselves (v. 9).
While they were gone to buy oil the bridegroom came and those who were ready went in and the door was locked (v. 10). When the five foolish ones finally arrived they stood outside begging to get in but the bridegroom said, “I’m sorry but I don’t know you” (vv. 11-12). This suggests that not everyone that says “Lord, Lord” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven (v. 13) (Matt. 7:21). Some people (like the Jehovah Witnesses) have claimed to know the time of Christ’s return in the air (Rapture), even though they cannot determine the day or hour, but all speculation is useless. The point is that we should continually watch for His coming. Not everyone that professes to be a Christian will enter heaven, for some really have not trusted Jesus Christ sincerely. There can be no salvation without the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Application
Today the church has known that Jesus is coming yet many have become unconcerned. We have lost our excitement about the soon - coming of the Lord. (Acts 1:11) says Jesus is coming and we are to be witnesses until He comes (Acts 1:8). Am I ready for Jesus to come today? Are there people that I should tell of His coming?
Matthew 25:1– 13 (NET)
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. 4 But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 ‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ 12 But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ 13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Illustration: The Disgusted Driver
A man driving an automobile in Milwaukee a few years ago became exceedingly angry because a car was following too closely behind him. When he slowed down he noticed that the other car slowed down. If he speeded up the car behind did just the same. In fact, it was keeping exactly the same speed as he had. At last he became so disgusted that he stopped by a traffic policeman to make a complaint, only to hear the officer tell him that he had hooked bumpers with a parked car about two blocks back. Yes, it was his own fault, although he had been blaming someone else. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #2075).