Bridesmaids


Matthew 25:1-1-13
1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
5As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
6But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
7Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
9But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’
10And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
11Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
12But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

This particular parable is deeply personal for me. When my daughter Hannah got married she used this parable as the foundation of her entire wedding. Instead of walking down the aisle to meet her groom we walked her up to the chancel to be seated to await the arrival of her groom. Her bridesmaids stood around her holding lanterns rather than flowers and the wedding guests were allowed to come up and pray over her while she waited. Then, when the time was right, Marcos came up the aisle and got her, proceeding to their spot in front of the altar to complete the ceremony. It was stunning and completely unique and by far one of the most memorable moments of my life as a parent.

As Christians in 2014 we look forward to two more great events; Jesus return and the final judgment. Matthew 24 deals with that return and 25 deals with the judgment. Jesus now tells three parables to illustrate that time of judgment the first being the parable of the 10 bridesmaids. At first glance this seems like a harsh story. The five who are turned away seem to get a bad deal for no reason. But we cannot make that quick assessment and move on for there is more to the story. To begin our perusal of this story we harken back to Matthew 7:21-23.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Many have tried to lay a meaning upon the “oil” in this story. They have called it faith, or belief, or the Holy Spirit. It really doesn’t matter how you see it. All three of those choices are equally valid. When we stand before the Lord at the time of judgment there is only one thing that is going to have any impact upon Him and that is our relationship with Jesus. There will be only one question; do you believe that Jesus died because of your sin and that in His death is your victory? Everything else will fall away. It won’t matter what you did or did not do. When He comes to retrieve His bride (the Church) will you be ready? Will you claim Him as your Savior? If so, He will know you and the Kingdom of Heaven is yours.

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