| Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11
“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep. In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bridegroom’s here! Go out and greet him!’ The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out, lend us some of your oil.’ They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around, go buy your own.’
They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked. Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’ He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’ So stay alert. You have no idea when He might arrive.” (Matthew 25:1-13)
The virgins are representative of you and me. We either fall into the silly, smart or non-virgin category. The latter being those who have never known Christ. Dealing with the smart and the silly though we see that both have had an encounter with the Lord. They are both waiting for His return and both of them have a lamp filled with oil. Also note that both types fell asleep while waiting for Him to come back. However, the smart virgins brought extra oil just in case the groom didn’t show up at the time they thought He’d be coming.
Many people have expected Jesus to show up at certain times throughout history. They’ve even given dates! Dates that have come and gone. Jesus said that no man knows the hour, not even Him. With that being said we need to be among the smart virgins and pack some extra oil. Those with the oil shortage started out of the gate excited and waiting for the return of the groom. Yet they only had enough initial oil to get them through for a little while. Know this, life is a marathon, not a sprint.
When the trials, tribulations and plain old life happen, their oil begins to deplete. Finally, just before the groom shows up the oil is gone. The oil is representative of the relationship, the freshness and revelation of the Holy Spirit that binds us to God. Our relationship (our oil, our contact with the Holy Spirit) is what keeps our fire going. If we don’t practice God’s presence and take the time to know Him then our oil will run dry. When He returns we’ll find ourselves out trying new things to hustle oil and we’ll miss our opportunity. The true oil only comes through intimate relationship with Him. Stay full and keep extra for the journey!
PRAYER:
I pray to stay full of Holy Spirit. I want to know You. I don’t want to be outside the door asking to come in and have You turn me away. Please lead and guide me in this relationship. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. |
