Parables of the Kingdom - The Virgins
10 07 2007This coming Sunday (15th July) at our church meeting, we are continuing our series on the Parables of the Kingdom by looking at the parable of the 10 virgins. Each week we are posting the parable that we will looking at the following Sunday, to aid reflection and engagement with God, before we hear someone else’s thoughts on the text. Please leave any thoughts or observations in the comments section. Thanks for the great comments in the first parable (The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl).
The Parable of the 10 virgins - Mt 25: 1-13
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, 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. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Questions for reflection:
As you reflect on the parable and attempt to honestly evaluate yourself, you may like to consider the following questions:
What is the difference between the wise and foolish young girls? What does the oil represent for you?
“The Bridegroom was a long time in coming” When it seems God is taking longer than He ’should’ to appear, to answer prayer, or to work in some way we would like Him to, how do we respond?
Tags: Parables, Parables of the Kingdom
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I’ve found this parable interesting - for starters the whole story seems foreign (and I guess it is) and so I don’t exactly know what’s going on!
But it’s made me think about a few things.
I think the difference between the virgins is in their attitudes. Some took it more seriously, and hence were better prepared, than others. Perhaps the oil was expensive, and although all the virgins waited for the Bridegroom, only some were willing to pay the extra money just incase he took a long time.
And it occured to me that the oil could be the Holy Spirit - fuel, warmth, light, comfort, in the Bridegroom’s absence, until he arrives.
It makes me think about how I’m waiting for Jesus.
Thanks Rupert, it’s been helpful.
Cheers
Hamish