Two days before the Last Supper, Jesus taught about His second coming, mostly through parables. One of these parables was about ten bridesmaids. (Matthew 25:1-13)

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” 

In that culture, a Jewish wedding took place in three stages*: 

1. Engagement: An agreement between the fathers
2. Betrothal: An exchange of vows 

3. Marriage: The husband would whisk the wife away to his home, usually about a year later. 

   This new home was often an addition onto his father’s house. (See John 14:2-3 for a powerful parallel) 

This is where the bridesmaids come in. They’d welcome the bridegroom as he came for his bride.

2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

Note how both the wise and foolish bridesmaids fell asleep. At first glance, there’s nothing particularly remarkable about them. The only noticeable difference between them so far is that five were wise enough to bring extra oil.

6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

Some scholars say that oil in the Bible represents God’s Spirit. 

If we’re not filled with His Spirit, our light goes out. And that’s not a place we want to be on judgment day.

9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

We can’t get by on the faith of others, we need to know God for ourselves. It won’t matter that your mom, grandma, pastor, or teacher knows Him. What matters is that you have a current relationship with Jesus.

10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

*Insights on Jewish wedding customs and oil symbolism are drawn from David Guzik’s commentary on Matthew 25

Today, let’s examine ourselves, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and make us ready for Jesus’ return.

If you’d like to talk with someone about how to be ready, or if you’d like prayer, contact our confidential prayer team by clicking the prayer request link below.