RPG Adults
PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS – THE WISE VIRGINS
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Matthew 25:1-13
Memory verse: Matthew 25:4
“…Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet him.”
PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS – THE WISE VIRGINS
As mentioned before, parables are descriptions of real-life situations with spiritual significance where Jesus did not comment on the morality or ethics of the parables. This was how parables were used to teach spiritual truth, citing current life experiences in Jesus’ time. With this in mind, it was not a blemish on the part of the wise virgins not to share their oil. That was the custom. The five wise virgins represent born-again believers. Their preparation showed that they believed in the certain coming of the bridegroom. They prepared sufficient oil to light their lamp regardless of the time the bridegroom came. They had to provide evidence of their belief and readiness for the bridegroom’s coming with everlasting preparedness. The bridegroom’s coming represents Christ’s return.
Believing in Christ’s return implies believing in Christ’s death and resurrection. To believe by giving to God a mental agreement is not pleasing to Him. It must be obeyed, as evidenced by a prepared life, as exemplified by the wise virgins. If we believe that Christ is returning, we have to give an account of how we have lived. All areas of our lives must glorify God. My relationship with my spouse must be one of the husband loving his wife as Christ loved the church and gave His life for the church. The wife must submit to her own husband as unto the Lord as he is the head of the home, just as Christ is the Head of the church. Children must honour and obey their parents in the Lord. Believers must render holy service, constrained by our love for Christ and His love for us. Learning to forgive all the time and under every circumstance in life, as God has forgiven us in Christ, is the norm for every believer.
The wise virgins knew the reason for their waiting and prepared for it thoroughly. They understood their purpose of waiting for the bridegroom’s coming. They were ready when the midnight cry came that he was coming. The urgency and the brevity of time given to them to prepare meant that they had to have the extra oil applied to their lamp. There was no time to run off somewhere to buy more oil. There was no last-minute preparation. It was now or never! Thank God they were ever ready!
THOUGHT: What if Christ returns tonight? Am I ready?
PRAYER: Father, help me be wise and always ready to meet my Saviour.