Looking Forward Because That's What Jesus Did

[HKHaugan]

As promised this parable helps us to look at how we meet every next moment. So we’ll look at it a verse at a time.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

Vs.1. “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins (bridesmaids), who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”

‘At that time’---Jesus is referring to His return which will be like a bridegroom coming to claim his bride---the Lord returning for His bride, His Body of believers. Since Jesus is describing the Kingdom it has to do with access. It will be (a future occasion, a call to look forward)- like -(think spiritually) meaning an invisible kingdom in which attitude is the key to its entrance.

Vs.2. “Five of them were foolish and five were wise.”

This is an attitudinal check which is elaborated upon in the next two verses. It has to do with where the heart is, its trust, its focus, its vision.

Vs.3. “The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.”

“A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions (Prov.18:2).” It follows then that foolish ones see no importance in having a vision that demands planning and decision making for every next moment. Fools live only for their own moment and end up having a welfare mentality as the parable points out.

A foolish attitude is a self-centered ‘looking backward’ one that assumes just knowing about the Lord and being a ‘being a member of the wedding (being a member of some denomination)’ is sufficient, being pure is sufficient, being an ‘I-know-I’ve-got-a-good-heart’ person by one’s own definition is sufficient, ‘going to church’ is sufficient. It’s the ‘I’m-really-a-good-person’ attitude. You know, the false confidence that says, “Yes, I make mistakes but my intentions are good.” They are not forward looking but basing their future on their past. There is no sense of purpose. They live only for the moment, not the next moment. Every next moment really is a gift from the Lord. They are His moments He gives us freely. What are we doing with them?

Vs.4. “The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”

The five wise virgins considered the fact that the bridegroom’s arrival was unknown. So stocking up for future eventualities was an accepted fact. It is evaluating the effects of present attitude and behavior readying one’s self for every next moment and a last moment when judgment is levied.

The operative ingredient in the wise virgins’ attitude is oil. Oil in Scripture signifies the presence of the Holy Spirit. The real difference between the foolish and wise virgins’ attitudes is realizing that the power of God for a believer comes from the Holy Spirit and His anointing. It means that a believer is actively involved in the use of spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit and the study of Scripture, in order to act when the next moment demands it. This is what makes the ‘wise virgin’ spiritually ready for every next moment. Just the idea of a virgin being completely open to receive the Lord’s blessing in every next moment is an attitude of trust in His presence.

Vs.5. “The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”

Everyone needs sleep. When you are doing the Lord’s work you will tire but it’s a good tiredness. The Holy Spirit will be in charge and you welcome the rest since you know inside you have done what He wanted. Jesus was asleep in the boat when the storm broke over the disciples’ trip across the Sea of Galilee. It was the disciples who were afraid and the same fear can grip our consciousness and cause us to be totally self-consumed in it. The question then is this, “Are we resting in the Spirit (in belief, trust and faith) or asleep in sin and self?” This is the question that we have to keep before us as disciples because…

Vs.6. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’”

Jesus is coming back. He will return for His people. He has prepared a place for us through the Cross, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is not so much a place as it is a spiritual reality that can only be accessed through belief, trust and faith in Him. It is the faithful action that comes from having prepared for every next moment that ends up in the final moment of this world’s existence. The best situation in the final moment is to be actively faithful as though what really mattered was the one more faithful task to accomplish. That’s when He will return.

Vs.7. “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.”

That’s when the final trumpet sounds. Jesus appears with arms wide open.

Vs.8. ““The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’”

If we have not been filled with the Spirit which depends on obedience to His Word, being active in His gifts and working at being ready for every next moment’s call to be in ministry and mission, we won’t be ready.

Vs.9. “‘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.’

You can’t give away what doesn’t belong to you. Only the Lord can fill you with the Spirit and that takes belief in the Lord’s presence, trust in Him in the heart and faith in your spirit’s openness to the Holy Spirit.

Vs.10. “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.”

The door was shut, locked and final.

Vs.11. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’”

The wedding banquet is the Kingdom of God and arriving late means trying to make up for what we didn’t do when we had the opportunity. Self-reliance instead of Lord-reliance in the Spirit, looking back instead of forward, being wrapped up in the clothes of self-centeredness and working to be good, defensive instead of open, hoping that good intentions will save the day, only increase coming late.

Vs.12. “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

That is the very worst response anyone can get. It’s before this that we should be aware that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Not to be known is bad enough in the world where we try our best to be known and accepted but to hear those words on the Lord’s return should make one shudder at the thought. Also note that our consciousness does not cease at that point. This can only mean an eternity of anonymity to God and others.

Vs.13. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

So how do we keep watch? That is the question for every next moment. We keep on the watch for the needs of people we meet as we go from one situation to the next. We know that the Lord is waiting for us where there is an emotional, economic, spiritual need. We stay open to the Spirit’s leading as we spiritually listen to the voices of those around us, alert to their inner being expressed with all they do. We stay repentant, prayerful, alert, to serve when the moment calls and worshiping the Lord when worship time comes. We stay in the study of the Word as we are taught and as we share the Word and learn it together with brothers and sisters in the faith. Keeping watch is simply being ready to be faithful and act in every next moment.