Seeds for 01/22/2024 - Matthew 25:1-13
Scripture: “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“‘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.’
“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.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Observation: An obvious way to know something is important is that it is repeated. And repeated. When my parents wanted me to understand they meant business, they repeated themselves until I got the message. Jesus is starting to sound like a broken record about this keeping watch business.
We want to avoid over-interpreting the parable, but we can make a few observations that seem true to the central theme.
First, all ten virgins were invited to meet the bridegroom at the wedding. The opportunity was available, all they need do is respond in kind and do what is appropriate to say yes to the invitation and opportunity.
Second, when the time came to respond to the invitation, five of the virgins were prepared and five were not. Those who were prepared could not do the others’ work for them. They could not make them prepared if they were not. The way this plays out in the parable is that each one must have their lamps supplied with oil and properly trimmed. Outside of the parable, we might recognize that there are some things each person must do themselves that are part and parcel to saying yes to God’s invitation in Christ. No one can repent for someone else. No one can believe for someone else. This is not earning one’s way. It’s simply the relational and spiritual dynamic at work when it comes to saying yes to the invitation. Each person can tend only to the posture of their own heart.
Third, the door was shut and not re-opened. There’s a finality about this. That said, it’s important to notice that the bridegroom “was a long time in coming.” The groom was not in a hurry. He delayed.
This aligns with a variety of texts in the New Testament letters. Paul’s words to Timothy, express that God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Peter’s discussion of a coming judgment “day of the Lord” includes the teaching that the reason for God’s delay is that “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
It seems that God wants all to come, but does not force all to come. The invitation is extended. The groom, Jesus, even delays. Not all will be ready, but it isn’t for lack of desire or patience on the part of the Lord.
Application:
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your redeeming grace. Keep me watchful. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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