Mat 25:1-13
"God's kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom.
Five were silly and five were smart.
The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil.
The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps.
The bridegroom didn't show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.
"In the middle of the night someone yelled out, 'He's here! The bridegroom's here! Go out and greet him!'
"The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready.
The silly virgins said to the smart ones, 'Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.'
"They answered, 'There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.'
"They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
"Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, 'Master, we're here. Let us in.'
"He answered, 'Do I know you? I don't think I know you.'
"So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive. MSG.
"God's kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom.
Five were silly and five were smart.
The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil.
The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps.
The bridegroom didn't show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.
"In the middle of the night someone yelled out, 'He's here! The bridegroom's here! Go out and greet him!'
"The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready.
The silly virgins said to the smart ones, 'Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.'
"They answered, 'There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.'
"They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.
"Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, 'Master, we're here. Let us in.'
"He answered, 'Do I know you? I don't think I know you.'
"So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive. MSG.
Be Ready for the Bridegroom
Mat_25:1-13
Three remarkable parables occupy this chapter and follow a marked sequence of thought. First, we are called upon to look to ourselves, and be sure that we are prepared to enter the wedding feast; that is, to enter into the holiest and closest union with our Lord. Many are called into that union of thought, and prayer and service, but, alas, how few there are who approve themselves as chosen for that inner intimacy! We must see to it that our hearts are pure with virginal purity, and that the light is ever burning in our hearts, through the continual in-pouring of the oil of the Holy Spirit.
How marvelous the power which, from the noisy night procession of an oriental wedding, could bring this exquisite parable! The short, warm Eastern night, the ten girls, the cry, the peace of the prepared, the anguish of the unready, the inside and outside of the door!
O blessed Comforter, may we not fail thee, as thou wilt not fail those who in their weakness seek thy help! Meyer.
No comments:
Post a Comment