Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Ten Virgins

A parable tells a story to illustrate a spiritual or moral truth. The parable of the ten virgins tells the story of five foolish virgins that ran out of oil while waiting for the bridegroom to go to the celebration banquet. Most weddings in those days were at night. The groom would parade down the streets with his party to pick up the bride and her party. There wasn't a specific time appointed, but the bridal party had to wait for the groom to come. 

Unfortunately, the foolish virgins were not ready to wait for too long. The lamps or torches required oil and extra oil was required to keep them lighted. When they run out of oil, the foolish virgins have to go buy more oil at the market and miss the bridegroom. Their missing the bridegroom shuts them out of the wedding banquet and though they asked to come in later, the bridegroom did not "know" them. 

The wise virgins had extra oil and kept their torches or lamps burning. When the bridegroom came, they were ready and were able to enter the wedding banquet. This is the kind of readiness God wants from me. I must be ready at all times for the return of my Lord so I can enter the heavenly banquet to celebrate his return. I don't want to be like the foolish virgins who were completely unprepared to wait for as long as it was necessary.

Am I ready for the return of Christ right now? Will I be ready tomorrow? What about 5 years from now? No one knows the day nor the hour, but I must be ready at all times. The Lord's command is to watch. It means to look and observe attentively over a long period of time. Like the guard of a watchtower, I must be watching at all times lest disaster comes upon the city while I sleep.

Lord, help me to be watchful. I need your strength and power to remain alert. Do not allow me to fall asleep while I wait for your return. Guide me and keep me. I want to know you and be known by you.