It doesn’t matter how much knowledge we have however, if we are frittering away our time and not living practical, Christ centred lives. Just like no one knew the hour of the bridegroom’s arrival, we don’t know the day or hour of Jesus’ return but the bible equips us with all we need to prepare. Jesus uses this parable to warn us against the peril of not being prepared for His second coming. The door to the celebrations was closed and they missed out! The fate of the five bridesmaids who neglected to prepare, was sealed when they failed to plan. They will get to experience the joy of an eternity in heaven with Jesus. In reading the parable today, they represent those that have a personal relationship with Jesus and are actively preparing for His second coming. The five wise virgins, because of their preparation, got to experience all the joys of the wedding celebration.
If I don’t take practical steps to have the tank filled up, my knowledge serves little purpose. It’s not good enough that I know about the oil. Much in the same way I need to prepare in advance and have oil in the tank for the winter months.
Only five of the bridesmaids prepared by carrying additional oil. There has been many an in-depth expository on the meaning of this parable but in essence, Jesus was depicting the importance of being prepared for His second coming. Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ Therefore, stay alert because you do not know the day or the hour.” Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
There has been many a morning when a tentative toe out the duvet diminished the urgency to visit the bathroom!Įach year, right about this time when I turn my mind to purchasing oil, I’m reminded of the parable Jesus told about the 10 virgins. In Matthew 25:1-13 we read: Although the wood burner is a wonderful addition and I’ve dozed on the rug in front of it on occasion, that hasn’t saved me from near frost bite, needing to venture through other parts of the cottage if there’s no heating. As time went on, I learnt the hard way the cost of not forward thinking and arranging deliveries in advance. In order to have a constant supply of heat we need to search for the most competitive prices to purchase the oil and arrange for a tanker to deliver and refill the tank. When Phil came home later that day with a large bag of wood, my brow furrowed as I saw him deposit chunks into the (what I thought was decorative) wood burner.Ĭlearly tickled by my lack of understanding, Phil explained that the cottage in fact has a large oil tank to the exterior of the property. Clearly it was broken and I was far from impressed, or so I thought. Expecting the same once I moved, I was perplexed when I switched on the thermostat and found myself still shivering 40 minutes later. If I wanted heat in my London flat, I would simply switch on the thermostat. Winter in the cottage can be harsh and so preparation is key!īeing the typical city girl, when I first moved to the country, I was like a fish out of water. During the winter, you would be forgiven for thinking that we retain heat but the reverse is actually true. At times, I found myself likening the experience to sitting in a sauna for extended periods, with little respite. Living in a cottage, we suffer dreadfully with the heat during the summer.
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