If you knew Christ was coming back today, what would you do? In Jesus’ Parable of the Ten Virgins, He taught that it was wise to be prepared for His return (see Luke 12:35-40). Upon the bridegroom’s arrival, the virgins trimmed their lamps (see Matthew 25:7). Trimmedstems from the Greek word, kosmeo meaning “to get ready, or to place in order.”
The oil lamp was used for lighting houses in first century Palestine. Originally, this consisted of an open earthenware saucer containing olive oil. Part of the saucer was pinched in the manufacturing process to provide a place for a flaxen wick. Due to problems with spillage, new closed containers were developed with 2 holes: one for the wick and one to pour in the oil. When the oil would run low, the flax would smolder, and the lamp would need to be refilled from a container. Giving oil to another, the request of the foolish virgins to the wise, would mean that one’s lamp would run out, as would the others’ lamps, prior to the groom’s arrival.
Preparedness for Christ is our personal responsibility: “The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 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” (Matthew 25:8-10).
The result of being prepared for Christ’s return is intimacy with God (see Matthew 25:10). We are ready for His arrival when we are fully surrendered to Christ (see 1 Peter 3:15a) and prepared to describe our hope to others (see 1 Peter 3:15b; 2 Timothy 4:2; Matthew 5:16).
Have you drawn a line in the sand and put a stake in the ground, fully surrendering your life to Christ as Savior and Lord? If not, make today the day that you confess your sin to Him, repent, and respond in faith by grace to His transformation. That’s the first step to intimacy with God who will use you to share your hope with others.
Episode 252: Parable of the Ten Virgins from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.