Sunday Meditation: Will You Be Prepared?

I said last week was the beginning of Jesus’s final discourse in Matthew’s Gospel, but last week He was speaking to the Pharisees and scribes but here He is speaking to His disciples.  So does is the discourse intended for the disciples?  I'm not really sure.  If so, this Sunday begins the fifth discourse. 

Have you ever been a groomsman or a bridesmaid in a wedding?  Then you might identify with this parable.  The most important thing for a groomsman or a bridesmaid to remember is to be prepared.  All ten virgins waiting for the groom fall asleep but five wake up prepared and five don’t.

 

Jesus told his disciples this parable:

"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, when taking their lamps,

brought no oil with them,

but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

Since the bridegroom was long delayed,

they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight, there was a cry,

'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

The foolish ones said to the wise,

'Give us some of your oil,

for our lamps are going out.'

But the wise ones replied,

'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.

Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'

While they went off to buy it,

the bridegroom came

and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.

Then the door was locked.

Afterwards the other virgins came and said,

'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'

But he said in reply,

'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'

Therefore, stay awake,

for you know neither the day nor the hour."

~Mt 23:1-12

 

Why doesn’t the bridegroom know the foolish virgins?  Dr. Brant Pitre explains this through the ancient custom of first century Jewish wedding customs.

 

Given Jesus is really referring to being let into heaven, you better make sure you have oil always at hand for your lamp. 

Meditation: "Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."