3. The Holy Spirit Empowers Us
Jesus spoke of the oil that enabled the lamps to burn. Throughout the Scripture oil is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that He would not leave us alone. While He is away he provides his Holy Spirit to comfort and empower his disciples.
In this parable it is the oil that gives the lanterns their light, and the virgins must trim the lamps. This speaks of our devotion and fervor. We have a responsibility to trim our lamps. No one can do it for us. We alone must be sure that we steward the precious resource of his presence in the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul reminded us that we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and instructed those who waited for the Lord’s return, “do not to put out the Spirit’s fire.”
4. Don’t Circle a Date
This passage also reminds us that things may take a little longer than we might expect. The bridegroom was a long time coming. He was delayed so long that both the wise and the foolish both fell asleep, but we are still commanded to be ready for his return at any moment.
Ultimately, only the Father knows the day and the hour of the Son’s return. While we recognize along with the Psalmist that our times are in his hands, we also need to recognize that the End Times are most definitely in his hands.
Much has been made of the end of Jesus’ parable of the bridesmaids. When word finally comes that his return is at hand, the foolish virgins must leave to find more oil, and they eventually find themselves on the outside looking in.
This verse can be the source of argument and division, or we can take from it one sure lesson: instead of fearing the words, “I don’t know you,” we can prepare now for the assurance that the door to the feast will be open to us. Do we guard the gift of the Spirit given to us? Do we look eagerly to the day of his coming?
The end of this parable is the beginning of the wedding feast, and Jesus himself has made a way for all to come and dine. The second coming is really the beginning: the beginning of the marriage supper of the Lamb. Will you be ready?
This article on the parable of the bridesmaids originally appeared here, and is used by the author’s permisssion.
