“At that time, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight, the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  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. Later, the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.  Matthew 23:1-13

In this story, ten young women wait for a bridegroom to arrive so they can start the wedding feast. All ten carry their oil lamps, but only half prepared by bringing extra oil. The other five assume they will be fine, believing their oil supply will be enough. Things might have gone well for all ten, but the bridegroom is delayed. This changes everything. During the wait, the differences among the women become clear. 

When they hear, “He’s here!”… they wake up. All of them rush to light their lamps, but five of them don’t have enough oil to keep them lit. Their lights are dimming because they didn’t plan ahead while waiting for him. Now, in a panic, they rush to buy oil, but when they return, the door is locked, and the bridegroom does not open it to them. 

The focal point of this parable is the oil and what it symbolizes – a person’s inner life. It’s about what the virgins did while waiting for their groom. Were they nurturing intimacy, focusing on faithfulness and obedience? The oil represents their hidden reservoir of love. 

All ten have lamps and look much the same from the outside but it’s not enough to look ready.  Not enough to be in the right place.  Not enough to have a lamp.  Only some have kept their flame of love alive through long nights of the soul.  Only some have prepared because they long to be ready when the Bridegroom arrives.

Some lead quiet spiritual lives with little or no fanfare.  They may be housebound, or intercessors, even understated worshippers.  Their lamps burn brightly, but they are overlooked in favor of those who are busy and visible.  In the end, it’s never about knowing facts about the Bridegroom.  It’s being known by Him.  It’s about a posture of watchfulness, fueled by faith cultivated in obscurity.  The five who weren’t ready weren’t wicked.  They were unprepared.

In the long night of waiting, don’t let me doze off and go to sleep.  Amen