Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV)
[25:1] “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 them were foolish and five were wise. [3] The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. [4] The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. [5] The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.[6] “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here's the bridegroom! 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; our lamps are going out.’
[9] “‘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.’
[10] “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.
[11] “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
[12] “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don't know you.’
[13] “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Those who were wise and those who were foolish all dozed off and slept before the coming of the bridegroom. The wise when roused had oil, the foolish didn't. Seems that when we doze oil is consumed, wasted or lost. I want to be found doing the first works of first love.
ReplyDeleteDave Fox
One can miss it.
ReplyDeleteOften it is thought that the unlovable, the evil, the wicked will miss it. This passage reminds us that some who considered themselves to be part of the wedding party, the kingdom, will miss the mark.