Matthew 25:1–13 (ESV)
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For
when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But
at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give
us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And
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. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
I always find this parable difficult to understand, because I usually start off on the wrong foot when I interpret it. I want to come down on the five wise virgins
who were not willing to share their oil. We should want to share our faith and not hold it back. But this is a wrong interpretation. This is not about sharing faith, but it is whether you have faith or not. When the Bridegroom comes…
you either have faith or you don’t. Those with faith go to heaven and those who do not have faith go to hell. The Lutheran Study Bible states: “Jesus warns that many invited to share in the eternal joy of His kingdom will miss out by
failing to have a living faith at the end. Though some will be condemned for heinous crimes and gross sins, many more will fail to enter heaven because they neglected their faith. Even so, no matter how depleted our faith is, Jesus’ grace can fill us
to overflowing with a single word.
I pray: Keep us ever filled to overflowing, O Lord, that we continually abound in faith, hope, and love for You. Amen.