| Photo by Nastia Petruk on Unsplash
In Matthew 25:1-10, Jesus gives a parable to show us the choices we have as we wait for the coming of Jesus.
Jesus gives the parable of the 10 virgins. They all go out to wait for the bridegroom (Jesus). Five were foolish because they did not take any oil with them. The other five were wise because they took extra oil. The bridegroom did not come right away, and they became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, the cry went out: “The bridegroom is coming. Come out to meet him.” All the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The five foolish ones had no oil for their lamps. They ask the wise virgins to give them some of their oil.
They said no! Buy some oil for yourselves. While they were gone, the bridegroom came and took the five wise virgins in with him. Later, the five foolish ones came and asked to have the door opened. But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”
The point of the parable is found in verse 13:
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Are we ready for the coming of the Lord? Are we watching and waiting for Jesus to come?
Lord, fill me today with the oil of the Holy Spirit!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws on many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and from significant emotional experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
