“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.” — Matthew 25:10-13
Most of us are familiar with the “Parable of the Ten Virgins,” spoken by Jesus to his disciples in Matthew 25. Often times, however, because our Lord spoke in many parables which contain much that is figurative, I have found that there is a tendency to overlook the literal meaning. But did you know that in this parable Jesus teaches us all—by way of a warning—that those who are complacent in their faith or have put off their decision to become true disciples of Jesus Christ in their lives (John 15:7-8), will someday and suddenly, face absolute judgment? There will be no second chances.
“And the door was shut.” What finality! It implies that there was no one else allowed to come in to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, even those who were hurrying to prepare. The ceremony was ready to begin. Late comers would be an interruption to the service and they were not permitted to come in. We find that hard to imagine don’t we because in our culture we have become accustomed to late comers. People show up for events twenty to thirty minutes behind time and don’t think anything about it. We see that in our own churches, too! Can you imagine the look on people’s faces if—when they were late for church on Sunday—the doors were locked when they got there?
In this parable there was a loud cry outside, “Kurie, Kurie” or “Lord, Lord.” But the only reply from within was, “I don’t know you.” What a sad ending to what could have been a great celebration for those who were invited to take part but missed or delayed it for any number of reasons.
Before He closes this teaching, however, Jesus does give us one last word of hope for those who may be listening, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Or more literally, “Be staying awake” or “shake sleep.” As my dad used to say as I was growing up, “Wake up, son. Pay attention to what you’re doing!”
Does any of this from God’s Word apply to someone you love today? Or maybe it’s you. If so, there’s still time to get right, repent and be counted as one of the faithful, who will be ready whenever that day should come—and it will!
It could even be today. — Maranatha
And He said to them all: Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. — Luke 9:23
“God is good all the time. All the time God is good!”
