Lamps Without Oil – Matthew 25

God has placed us here on earth for a purpose. We have the freedom of choice to 1) pursue Him and His plan for us, 2) reject Him and His spiritual world, or 3) live somewhere in between the two end members, hedging our bets, just in case. Near the end of His three-year ministry, Jesus told the parable of the Ten Virgins, which, I believe, is about those who choose the first or third scenarios, the believers and the hedgers.

 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.² Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ ⁷ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹ “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ ¹² But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)

I have puzzled over the interpretation of this parable for many years, not quite sure what Jesus was intending to convey by it. And I am apparently not the only one who has difficulty with it. One time, while visiting a church in Louisiana, I heard a sermon given on it, and realized that, to my memory, it was the only time I could ever recall this passage being preached on in a church service.

But this morning, as I read it, it seems to have a simple clarity. So here goes.

Jesus often referred to His worldwide church of believers as a “bride”, and the Great Banquet to be given at His return as the great Wedding Supper. Perhaps we people of faith, weak as we are, are represented by the first group of five virgins. By grace, Jesus’ believers, even the latest of bloomers, have been identified from the beginning of time to spend eternity with Him. No matter what else our calling, we, like those virgins, have a very important role to play in our future – to meet Jesus at His return, with our spiritual “lamps” burning. Having taken Him and His kingdom seriously at some point in our lives, either early or late, we now worship and serve Him. We seek to bear divine fruit for His kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the “oil” in the “lamp” of our hearts.

In Jesus’ parable, when news of the bridegroom’s imminent arrival is heard, these first five virgins immediately go out to meet Him with oil in their lamps. They were ready, with faith in Christ alive in their heart.

The second group of five virgins quickly realize that they have erred by not taking their spiritual lives seriously. They never really sought a faith relationship with Jesus, with which they would have received the “oil” of His Holy Spirit. They had spiritual lamps, or hearts, that were potentially as effective as the ones the first five virgins had, but theirs were empty of oil. Now, at the last minute, they scrambled to make up for lost time, desperately trying to find some oil to light their lamps. They followed along later to meet the bridegroom, who is now clearly identified by them as “Lord”.

The fact that these five took their lamps along suggests that they might have had some knowledge of God, and maybe believed that Jesus existed. Anyone who chose to outright reject God likely “discarded” their lamps long ago, hardening their hearts and choosing to live without any regard for the Lord and His ways. This second group of five virgins might have even had a form of religion, but never sought an actual faith relationship with God, which would have provided them with the spiritual oil they needed. Perhaps they had a half-belief, keeping the idea of God simmering on the back-burner of their minds, but otherwise going about their lives with an indifference to His presence.

Many believers have lived at least a portion of their lives in that state. I know I have. But God continually draws us towards Him and will shake us from our spiritual stupor of ignorance if we have only a shred of willingness to believe. From this mustard seed of faith, He will grow deep spiritual roots, producing divine fruit from His ever-flowing grace and goodness. Our new faith in Jesus leads to our spiritual rebirth, and fills our hearts with His Holy Spirit.

May the Lord fill us all to overflowing with His Spirit, and may He burn brightly in the lamps of our hearts for all to see, drawing them to His goodness today. And may we all be eager and ready to meet Him when the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, one day returns.

Reflection

How do you interpret the Parable of the Ten Virgins?

Father God, help us to always be prepared for the return of Jesus, whether He comes in our lifetime or when we meet Him at our death. Fill us with His Holy Spirit through faith, so that we may produce divine fruit for the kingdom and be a bright light of hope for those around us. Guide and protect us as we seek to follow Your will in our lives. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a bright and glorious day in the Lord today.