Matthew 25:1-13 -NLT
Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘Believe me. I don’t know you!’ So, you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
The desire to meet the bridegroom was obvious in the bridesmaids. So they took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. However, Jesus told us that five of them were foolish. What’s that? Why would Jesus call them foolish? The foolishness is in the level of their preparation. They got the lamp, dressed up, and took some olive oil for their lamps, but something was missing. They omitted something important, and that made them the foolish bridesmaids. The wise bridesmaids were different in that they got extra olive oil along for the journey. What made them wise was the extra in their preparation. They did not think that the lamp was filled up; they prepared extra for the trip.
This parable is very relevant to our present generation. Our preparation for the coming of the master needs to go beyond the ordinary but include some extra effort to meet up with the Lord. We need to go beyond attending a church. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We need to embrace additional sacrificial commitment in our relationship with Jesus. The master will soon come, but what if He tarries more? Would our current level of faith sustain us till He comes? Jesus asked in Luke 18:8b, but when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith? We must think deeply about this question and examine our level of preparation. Our faith must go beyond ask and receive to an advanced faith of persistence and steadfastness during challenges and disappointments.
As we meditate on this devotional this week, let us ask God to help us prepare for the coming of the master. Let us ask for more Faith in God.
