Nov 13, Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13
During the last week of Jesus’ life, He and the disciples toured the Temple mount. Jesus told them that the day was coming when one stone would not be left on another. Every one would be thrown down. The disciples asked Jesus, “Tell us…when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:2-3) The rest of chapter 24 and this parable serve as the answer.
Notice the words of Matthew 24:42 and 44, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
In the parable of the Ten Virgins, the opening phrase, “At that time…” refers to the second coming of Christ. The conclusion/application of the parable found in verse 13 is almost a repeat of Matthew 24:42, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matt. 25:13).
With this background in mind, we are now ready to understand the parable. Ten virgins wait for the bridegroom. Five were prepared for the long haul. They were prepared to wait for the bridegroom’s return. The next parable, The Talents, probably describes how one should wait for the return of Jesus.
The Jewish wedding had two phases. The first, the bridegroom came to the bride’s house to receive His Bride and begin observing some religious ceremonies. After a time, the groom or bridegroom would take His bride to His house to resume the celebration and eventually consummate the marriage. There are other interpretations out there, but I like to think of Christ, our Bridegroom, coming to us in the incarnation, (Christmas and His life on earth) to begin the Kingdom and the marriage ceremony. The second part, Jesus returns to consummate the marriage and continue the ceremony for all time in heaven.
It always bothered me about the bridegroom having 10, or 5 for that matter, brides. But remember this is a parable and the meaning is not polygamy but the return of Christ and the Kingdom of God. Every believer becomes part of the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ. Each of us has a personal and intimate relationship with Christ. When Jesus returns, He is returning for the Church corporately, but you and me individually. Whether the virgin represents a bride or simply an unmarried attendant invited to participate in the procession does not matter. In simple terms, the virgins represent followers of Christ.
When will Christ return? We don’t exactly know. What is clear is that Jesus will return and He will come to receive us. Will Christ find you and me faithful when He returns? Let us stand firm in the faith. Let us not be distracted and discouraged as we await our Lord’s return.
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 ones, 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. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”—Matthew 25:1-13
No comments:
Post a Comment