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By Pam Kumpe Our story for today, found in Matthew 25 introduces us to ten virgins, five who are wise, and five who are foolish. The foolish women took their lamps, but no oil, while the wise took their oil and their lamps. The bridegroom was delayed, so they all slept. Around midnight a cry was heard, which said, "The bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him. The women arose, and the foolish women said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, our lamps are going out.” They answered, "No, we won’t have enough for ourselves, so you better go buy some." While the foolish women were gone, they bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. The foolish women came back, crying, "Lord, Lord, open up." But he answered, "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." This parable of the ten virgins reveals there are two different groups of women, the wise and the foolish. It makes me take notice, wondering if I would have been prepared, or would I have left without extra oil. The wise virgins attending this bridal party are ready for the night, making deliberate preparation by taking more oil with them. I’ve read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, so five of the women were literally dressed in the oil of gladness, ready to meet the bridegroom, unlike our foolish women. When the middle of the night comes, everything changes as the bridegroom comes, and only five women light their lamps and are ready to leave. Can’t you see the flickering light of those five lamps? Wouldn’t you want to be one of those women, prepared? Can you imagine the worry, the panic in the other women who had no oil, and were about to be left behind? So the wise women step out into the darkness, their lamps burning brightly while the other five women are on a search for oil, in the dark. God’s Spirit brings life to my heart, he can light my way, and without him I could remain in darkness. I want to have oil for my lamp, to be ready spiritually, to have a reserve so I can go out into a dark world, and shine brightly for the Lord. When I face a world filled with pain, death, and turmoil, it often seems pretty black, but that’s when I need access to the light, which is Jesus, he gives us a way to life. I am formed in God’s image, and my spirit has a destiny to live forever, and I want it to be in fellowship with him. I don’t want to ever burn out. The scriptures remind me that all ten virgins had lamps. I believe, as Christians we all have access to Christ, yes we all have access to Jesus. I need to be ready for his return, or I might find myself out shopping for oil when he comes back, which would be too late. The delay of the bridegroom is critical in this parable, because if he had not been delayed all ten of the virgins would have had enough oil. We should anticipate Christ’s return and live with expectation, ready to make it through the day, or the darkness of a night. The stakes are too high not to be ready to meet him. We don’t want to find ourselves locked outside, barred from heaven. I do not want him to ever say, "I do not know you." Jesus said, "Many are called, but few are chosen." All ten of the virgins were headed to the wedding, all were invited, but only five joined the bridegroom before the door was closed. My duty is to watch, to attend to the business of my own soul, to be awake and wakeful because I do not know the day or the hour. Jesus is available. He longs for me to join him and he will fill the empty place inside of me, and he can prepare my heart for eternity. And if for some reason, he is delayed the key is simply to, "Be prepared to meet him, anytime, anywhere." ___________________________________ Blessings from East Texas Pam Kumpe |
| << July07, 2007 - Mary and Martha - Someone Gets Mad |
August22, 2007 - Let's Go Camping with Priscilla >> |
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