Wise and foolish virgins - Matthew 25:1-13

Summary

In this script, a speaker recounts a personal anecdote about catching an embarrassed couple due to predictable timing, paralleling it to Jesus' teachings on the unpredictability of His return. The sermon focuses on the Parable of the Ten Virgins, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and vigilant in faith and obedience, as the delay of Jesus' return tests believers' readiness. The message warns against complacency and encourages perseverance in good deeds, highlighting the need for continuous spiritual preparedness.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The speaker starts with a prayer for openness to God's voice and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.
• 🕒 The story of working as a security guard introduces the concept of predictability and the importance of being at the right place at the right time.
• 😳 An anecdote about finding a couple in an inappropriate situation highlights the theme of being caught unprepared and the consequences of neglecting one's duties.
• 📖 Jesus' teachings in Matthew 24 and 25 are discussed, emphasizing the unpredictability of his return and the need for vigilance and action.
• 🕯 The parable of the ten virgins illustrates the importance of being prepared for the unexpected return of the bridegroom, symbolizing Jesus' return.
• 🔦 The wise virgins had enough oil for their lamps, representing readiness and preparedness in spiritual terms.
• 😴 Both the wise and foolish virgins fell asleep, indicating that the delay of the bridegroom was long, and even the prepared can become complacent.
• ⏰ The bridegroom's arrival at an unexpected hour underscores the lesson that one must always be ready, as the time of his return is unknown.
• 🛒 The foolish virgins' request for oil from the wise and their subsequent attempt to buy more signifies the realization of unpreparedness too late.
• 🚫 The door to the wedding feast being closed to the unprepared virgins symbolizes exclusion from the kingdom of God due to lack of readiness.
• 📣 The final call to 'keep watch' emphasizes the need for continuous faithfulness and wisdom, as the day and hour of Jesus' return are uncertain.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the parable of the ten virgins?

The main theme of the parable of the ten virgins is the importance of being prepared for the unexpected return of Jesus, emphasizing the need for vigilance and readiness in the face of His coming.

What is the significance of the lamps and oil in the parable?

The lamps and oil symbolize the readiness and preparation of the individuals waiting for the bridegroom. The wise virgins have enough oil to keep their lamps lit, representing their preparedness for Jesus' return, while the foolish ones run out, showing their lack of preparation.

Why did the foolish virgins go to buy more oil when their lamps were going out?

The foolish virgins went to buy more oil because they were not prepared with enough oil to keep their lamps lit for the entire duration of the wait, which signifies their lack of preparedness for the bridegroom's return.

What does the bridegroom's late arrival signify in the parable?

The bridegroom's late arrival signifies the unpredictability of Jesus' return, teaching that it will occur at an unexpected hour, and thus, followers should always be prepared.

What is the consequence faced by the foolish virgins for not being prepared?

The consequence faced by the foolish virgins is exclusion from the wedding feast when the bridegroom arrives. They are unable to enter because they were not prepared when the time came.

How does the parable relate to the concept of 'watchfulness' taught by Jesus?

The parable illustrates the concept of watchfulness by showing that even though all the virgins were waiting, only those who were prepared (wise) were able to participate in the wedding feast when the bridegroom arrived, emphasizing the need to stay alert and ready for Jesus' return.

What does the response 'I do not know you' from the bridegroom imply?

The response 'I do not know you' implies a rejection based on the lack of genuine preparation and relationship. Despite the foolish virgins' plea, their lack of readiness and understanding of the importance of preparation leads to their exclusion.

How does the parable connect to the broader teachings of Jesus about His return?

The parable connects to Jesus' broader teachings about His return by emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and faithfulness. It reiterates the message that His return will be sudden and at an unexpected time, and followers must be prepared at all times.

What is the role of the wise virgins in the parable, and what does it symbolize?

The role of the wise virgins is to be prepared with enough oil for their lamps, symbolizing their readiness and faithfulness in waiting for the bridegroom. It represents the believers who are vigilant and prepared for Jesus' return.

How does the parable of the ten virgins relate to the concept of obedience in the Christian faith?

The parable relates to the concept of obedience by illustrating that those who are obedient to God's call to be prepared for His return (the wise virgins) are the ones who will be welcomed into the kingdom. Obedience here is tied to the wisdom of being prepared.

What is the lesson for believers regarding the delay of Jesus' return as depicted in the parable?

The lesson for believers is to not be discouraged or grow weary by the delay of Jesus' return. Instead, they should continue to be vigilant, obedient, and prepared, as the timing of His return is unknown and can come at any moment.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Reflecting on Vigilance and the Parable of the Virgins

The speaker begins with a prayer for open hearts and a plea for the kingdom of God to manifest on earth. They recount their experience as a security guard, highlighting the predictability of their rounds and the unexpected encounter with a couple, using this to draw a parallel to Jesus' teachings on being prepared for his return. The sermon transitions into a discussion of Jesus' words on the signs of his coming, emphasizing the unpredictability and the need for vigilance. The parable of the ten virgins is introduced as a lesson on the importance of readiness and faithfulness during the delay of Jesus' return.

05:02

🕯 The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

This section delves into the specifics of the parable of the ten virgins, contrasting the preparedness of the wise with the folly of the unprepared. The lamps symbolize belonging and readiness, with the oil representing the necessary resources for participation in the kingdom's celebration. The delay of the groom and the subsequent falling asleep of the virgins illustrate the long and unpredictable wait for Jesus' return. The sudden arrival of the groom at an unexpected hour underscores the lesson that preparation must be continuous and cannot be deferred until the last moment.

10:03

⏰ The Consequences of Unpreparedness

The narrative continues with the foolish virgins' realization of their lack of oil and their plea to the wise for assistance, which is denied to preserve the wise ones' own readiness. The refusal to share oil is explained not as a lack of compassion, but as a necessity to maintain the function of the procession. The foolish virgins' attempt to purchase oil during the groom's arrival highlights the futility of last-minute preparations. The story concludes with the exclusion of the unprepared, emphasizing the irreversible nature of missed opportunities for readiness.

15:03

🚫 The Finality of Exclusion and the Call to Watchfulness

The summary of the parable's conclusion is presented, with the foolish virgins being denied entry to the wedding feast due to their lack of preparation. The groom's statement 'I do not know you' signifies a profound rejection, not based on recognition but on the lack of genuine preparedness and relationship. The summary connects this to the broader theme of Jesus' teachings on the kingdom of God, where being prepared is not just about actions but about a true and living faith that endures until his return.

20:04

🌟 The Imperative of Endurance and Faithfulness

The final paragraph focuses on the application of the parable's lessons to the lives of believers. It emphasizes the importance of enduring in faith and good deeds, despite the challenges and the temptation to grow weary. The speaker encourages the congregation to remain vigilant and prepared, drawing on the broader biblical teachings that call for a life of faithfulness in anticipation of Jesus' return. The summary ends with a call to action, urging the listeners not to give up in their spiritual journey, but to continue in their efforts to live righteously.

Keywords

💡parable

A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In the video, the parable of the ten virgins is used to convey the message of preparedness for the return of Jesus. The story of the five wise and five foolish virgins is a central part of the video's narrative, emphasizing the importance of being ready at all times for the unexpected hour of Jesus' return.

💡preparedness

Preparedness refers to the state of being ready for a specific situation or event. The video emphasizes the importance of preparedness through the parable of the virgins, where the wise virgins are prepared with enough oil for their lamps, symbolizing readiness for the bridegroom's arrival. The concept is tied to the theme of vigilance and faithfulness in awaiting the return of Jesus.

💡vigilance

Vigilance is the quality of being watchful and alert, especially for potential dangers or errors. In the context of the video, vigilance is equated with being watchful for the signs of Jesus' return and maintaining a state of readiness. The disciples are urged to be vigilant, as the signs of the end times are disruptive and demand constant awareness.

💡delay

The concept of delay in the video refers to the long and uncertain time before Jesus' return. The delay is used to test the faithfulness and preparedness of his followers. The groom's delay in the parable is significant as it causes the foolish virgins to become complacent and unprepared, leading to their exclusion from the wedding feast.

💡faithfulness

Faithfulness is the quality of being loyal and steadfast, particularly in the context of the video, it refers to the unwavering commitment of Jesus' followers to remain true to their beliefs and duties while awaiting his return. The wise virgins exemplify faithfulness by ensuring they have enough oil, signifying their dedication to be ready for the bridegroom's arrival.

💡obeisance

Obeisance is the act of showing submission or respect, often through a gesture or action. In the video, the act of trimming the lamps signifies the obedience of the virgins to the task at hand. The wise virgins' obedience is contrasted with the foolish ones who fail to obey the implicit instruction to be prepared for the bridegroom's arrival.

💡wedding feast

A wedding feast in the video symbolizes the joyous celebration that will accompany Jesus' return and the establishment of his kingdom. The groom's arrival at the wedding feast is likened to the second coming of Jesus, and the exclusion of the unprepared virgins from the feast represents the eternal consequences of not being ready for this event.

💡exclusion

Exclusion in the video refers to the consequence of not being prepared for Jesus' return. The foolish virgins, despite their efforts to acquire oil after the bridegroom's arrival, are excluded from the wedding feast. This symbolizes the spiritual exclusion from the kingdom of heaven for those who are not vigilant and prepared for the end times.

💡oil

In the parable, oil is a metaphor for the spiritual resources or readiness needed to participate in the kingdom of God. The wise virgins have enough oil, indicating their preparedness, while the foolish ones run out, symbolizing their lack of preparation. The request for oil from the wise to the foolish and the subsequent refusal highlight the individual responsibility for readiness.

💡watchfulness

Watchfulness is the state of being alert and attentive to potential signs or events. The video's theme of watchfulness is encapsulated in the instruction to 'keep watch' because the day or hour of Jesus' return is unknown. This concept is integral to the message of the video, urging followers to maintain a constant state of spiritual alertness.

Highlights

Prayer for open hearts and kingdom realization

Experience as a security guard and the importance of being at the right place at the right time

The story of an embarrassed couple caught due to predictable timing

Jesus' message on being prepared for his return and not getting caught out

The disciples' questions about the signs of Jesus' coming and the end of the age

Description of the deceptive, dangerous, and sudden nature of the end times

The impossibility of knowing the exact time of Jesus' return

The demand for vigilance and action from those awaiting Jesus' return

The parable of the ten virgins and the importance of being prepared

The long delay of Jesus' return and its impact on followers' faithfulness

The significance of lamps and oil in the parable as symbols of preparedness

The difference between the wise and foolish virgins in terms of preparation

The consequences of being unprepared when the bridegroom arrives

The importance of having enough 'oil' or preparation for the long delay

The message that it will be too late for those unprepared when Jesus returns

The rejection of those who are unprepared despite their pleas

The final call to keep watch and not to know the day or hour of Jesus' return

Encouragement to persevere in faith and obedience despite potential weariness

The reminder that the delay will end and preparation time will be over

The warning against presuming on God's kindness and patience

The call to not grow weary in doing good, as the time to reap will come

Transcripts

thanks archie good morning

let's uh pray

lord grant to us today to hear your

voice and not harden our hearts

we pray your kingdom come your will be

done on earth as it is in heaven

in jesus name

amen

well i was at seminary i worked as a

security guard from four o'clock until

midnight uh i arrived shortly before

most people were leaving and then took

an old

it's called a detex clock and i did my

rounds now every two hours i walked a

predetermined route and there were keys

left in particular places in the

building and you took the key and you

put it in the clock and it left an

imprint on the piece of paper that

advanced as the clock ticked and this

meant that my employer could verify that

i was

where i was meant to be when i was meant

to be there

i was assigned this task every two hours

during the

the work shift and this means that

i was arriving at each location at a

predictable time so imagine my surprise

on one day at about 605

i entered a room to find an incredibly

embarrassed couple

hastily adjusting their clothing and

walking out without saying a word

and every time i remember that incident

i think they knew i was coming

in fact if they were at all observant

they would know more or less when i was

coming

how could they get caught out like that

how could they be found doing something

so inappropriate

now amongst other things jesus is saying

something similar not exactly but

something similar in answer to those

who ask when he will return and what it

will look like when he returns

he is saying don't get caught out

and don't neglect the things you should

be doing

there's some background questions that

are still at work from chapter 24. the

disciples have asked well when will this

happen and what will the signs of the

coming be

of your coming be and of the end of the

age

chapter 24 verses 5 to 35 then talk

about when it will happen it will be

deceptive dangerous distressing

dramatically sudden and discriminating

but you can't know when

chapter 24 verses 36 to 44 talk about

the signs

it will be disrupt disruptive and it

demands vigilance on your part but you

can't read the signs to discover when it

will

happen well so much for your questions

he tells the disciples and then he

starts to impose his own concerns as he

teaches them he already said that it

demands vigilance in 42-44 then in 45-51

he demands action of those who are

waiting for his return

in the story after the 10 virgins jesus

is going to speak of talents probably a

better known parable to most of us

and he talks about a master who goes

away on a long journey and settles

accounts when he returns after a long

time

so with that background let's turn to

these verses in chapter 25 verses 1-13

where jesus reiterates much of what he

has said in the previous discussion and

what he'll say in the rest of chapter 25

and it's really a story of five foolish

waiters and five wise waiters

we can't call them waiters because we

use that word for something else but we

should stress that jesus speaks of this

long delay

and the activity of his followers while

they wait

and we've just been told that we need to

be watchful verse 42 of the previous

chapter says therefore keep watch

faithfulness and wisdom is reflected in

watchful deeds of obedience

and we've been told that a key feature

relates to a long time and one of the

things jesus wants us to understand as

he says these things is that the delay

is so long

that it becomes ridiculous to try to

predict his return

and he again relates this to the

disciples question of when

that gives shape to the whole discussion

so i want to make three observations

directly from the parable the first is

that jesus will arrive in an unexpected

hour

25 1 says at that time jesus looks ahead

to when he will return from his long

time away to fully establish his kingdom

many will have misread or ignored the

signs of the end others will have failed

to watch

growing weary or losing faith

because of the long delay

his return is compared to a wedding the

bible doesn't speak in terms of being in

heaven or harps and choirs instead it

speaks of jesus returning here to

establish his kingdom

and jesus regularly uses this image of a

wedding feast of rejoicing of reveling

in the presence of the lord

now in the jewish wedding the groom goes

to the bride's home

and the formalities are performed there

and then

there is an after-dark procession that

conveys the bride to her new home with

the groom

that's where the week-long reception the

week-long wedding celebration takes

place so the friends of the bride would

be waiting outside the groom's house

with a view to going out to him and

ushering him and the bride into his

house

and since it's well past dark each

member of the procession would be

expected to carry a torch or a lamp

to be without one suggests that well

maybe you're a gate crasher

or worse maybe you're a robber trying to

get in in the confusion of the wedding

so that you can steal things that don't

belong to you

so the lamps aren't meant to be

interpreted allegorically

they simply indicate who belongs and who

doesn't

but belongings a big deal in jesus

parables of the jesus parables of the

kingdom the gospel is less a story of

universal celebration than of sins

forgiven of a relationship with the lord

through faith and a life of obedience

that receives its reward in eternity and

sometimes we might find it hard to hold

together obedience with our message of

salvation through faith alone

yet both sides are present throughout

the scriptures

i think they're both being taught here

verse 5

the groom has been delayed

we don't know why perhaps he's preparing

the home he's going to share with the

bride we simply don't know what we can

know is that the 10 young girls all

become drowsy which again is showing us

that the delay is long now this isn't

the occasional yawn or the bobbing head

that you sometimes notice when you're

preaching a sermon that they all fall

asleep

and we might be tempted to think that

following

falling asleep

is a problem in the next chapter of

matthew jesus asked three of his

disciples to accompany him to pray with

him in the garden

of gethsemane and he's disappointed when

he comes back and he finds them sleeping

and he says couldn't you keep watch with

me for one hour but this story isn't

about praying

and it certainly isn't about one hour

it together with other parables teach

that the delay

is long

so long that many find themselves

wavering

and in some cases doing foolish things

and it's clear enough that both the wise

and the foolish virgins are sleeping

in fact because it's so late i suspect

the virgins assumed that the the groom's

not coming today

wedding itself isn't going to be

happening until the next day so we don't

need to worry about a dwindling supplies

of oil

because surely he isn't going to arrive

this late

nothing to worry

about but here he is at midnight the cry

rang out

to add to the sense of delay we're told

the cry rings out at midnight

now bearing in mind that neither the

groom nor matthew is wearing a watch

we should probably understand midnight

not as 12 o'clock but as the middle of

the night

if you knock on my door at say 3 a.m

i'm going to say

what do you want it's the middle of the

night

now more realistically i'm going to say

to amy i can't believe it it's the

middle of the night

when this groom shows up it's a late

night appearance

it's not just an unexpected hour we

could add that it's an awkward hour

so the second thing that jesus teaches

us

is that it will be too late for those

who aren't prepared verses 7 to 12. then

all the virgins woke up and trimmed

their lamps the foolish one said to the

wise give us some of your oil our lamps

are going out

they trim their wicks

because otherwise they aren't getting in

that is all 10 wake up because all were

sleeping and this is what they've come

for

and they trim their wicks now i looked

up what it means to trim your wicks

apparently trimming a candle wick lets

the flame burn more clearly more

brightly

but jesus doesn't speak of wicks and

candles here a more direct translation

might be that they prepared their lamps

um

the niv here kind of has it both ways

they trimmed their lamps

these are oil burning

lamps or torches

and so they require

well oil

the five wise maidens were prepared in

advance

which in our lives means right now and

each day going forward until he returns

and they're prepared because they want

to celebrate the future feast with the

groom but the hard lesson and the point

of the parable is that some despite what

they wanted

and despite appearances were not

adequately prepared

now all ten had oil

but the wise ones had enough and the

foolish ones didn't

their first task was to light the way

for a wedding procession to not have oil

means you can't do the very thing you're

there to

do verse eight

the foolish one said to the wise give us

some of your oil our lamps are going out

no they replied from verse eight onward

we hear the foolish ones talking and the

response they receive they speak twice

both times they are told no

in verse 8 they ask the wise ones and

they're why is because they're prepared

for some oil in verse 9 the wise ones

say no they refuse to share and that

might strike us as uncaring and a bit

harsh doesn't the gospel call us to

share what we have

but the fact is the only task and tested

to these 10 that we know of lighting the

way as part of the procession

cannot be performed if they don't have

the necessary oil so the wise ones say

no lest none of them are able to light

the way

in verse 9

they tell

the foolish ones

go and buy some for yourselves

now i think there are some things to

bear in mind here first the focus isn't

really on oil

but on those who don't have it

many images would work if you're driving

in the desert you ought to have at least

a supply of water and some petrol

and there's no need to discuss what the

petrol represents in that story in this

story the five foolish virgins had oil

just not enough

that means we can't treat oil as an

allegorical stand-in for salvation or

the holy spirit or even good works it

simply points to being prepared during

the delay

second thing to notice uh look at

chapter 25 verse 10 while they were on

their way to buy oil the bridegroom

arrived

while they were out shopping the groom

shows up he's been announced now he is

present and where are the five foolish

virgins

well you might think the answer is that

they're at woolies or maybe it's

bunnings buying oil

but of course not

do you think the towns and villages of

first century palestine had late night

shopping

when we lived in england it was hard to

find anything that was open past

business hours and it hasn't changed

much so i googled uh what time do shops

in sheffield close and apart from

restaurants the latest dancer i could

find was 5 30 p.m

except on sundays when they close at 4.

even a bustling metropolis like

jerusalem with that say twenty thousand

or thirty thousand people didn't have

oil shops that were open at midnight or

three o'clock in the morning so these

five foolish maidens had to leave the

site of the wedding to purchase

something that wouldn't be available

until at the earliest the next morning

they could now contribute nothing to the

wedding

so as the story reaches its conclusion

the groom has arrived the five wise

virgins are admitted and the door is

closed in verse 10.

it happens while they are on the way the

five foolish virgins are not getting in

and this might strike you as a strange

security system

surely people didn't live in fear of

five young girls

but virtually every time jesus speaks of

the wedding feast he speaks of the door

being closed

and people being excluded

people who want to get in in some cases

desperately will not be allowed in

because the door has been locked the

point isn't that these girls are to be

feared but that they are too late

when it was time to spring into action

these girls weren't prepared

so that when it was time to enter the

wedding feast these girls spring into

action

the result was that they miss everything

verse 11 eventually they arrive

presumably the next morning after

they've completed their shopping spree

but the door is shut

lord lord they said

open the door for us

but the reply

truly i tell you i don't know you

do you think jesus loves everybody

do you think he loves everybody the same

way

be hard to know what that means

if he tells some

i don't know you

if it's now daylight the problem isn't

that the groom can't see the girls well

enough

maybe they're friends of the bride

maybe the groom himself has invited them

to the wedding

maybe he isn't getting it from the

banqueting table

in any case jesus says almost exactly

the same thing in matthew 7 23 to people

who perform miracles in his name

but don't quote do the will of the

father who is in heaven he says i don't

know you

like the wise girls who wouldn't share

their oil so the groom won't admit the

foolish girls

these are girls he presumably invited to

the wedding but he says he doesn't know

them these are girls who are anything

but lazy as they go to buy some oil and

then return to the wedding these are

girls who invested to the point that

they bought oil at least twice now

and possibly purchase the lamps that

they're burning it in and these are

girls who call out sir sir

with the same words translated almost

everywhere else as lord lord including

in matthew 7 verse 21 where jesus says

not everyone who says to me lord lord

will enter the kingdom of heaven

these are girls who seem to have it all

but they cannot enter the feast

so what distinguishes the wise from the

foolish

even before we answer in terms of oil we

need to

answer in terms of the bridegroom's

delay

the delay of the groom distinguishes the

wise from the foolish and causes some to

fall into strife

and it's not an unfeeling rejection of

those who build their lives around the

hope of entering the kingdom

it's a rejection of those who look like

they are ready

but in fact haven't really made

preparations for jesus return

they look just like us

therefore

verse 13

therefore keep watch

because you do not know the out the day

or the hour

in chapter 24 verse 36 jesus had said no

one knows that day or hour not even the

angels in heaven

nor the son but only the father then in

24 42 he says therefore keep watch

because you do not know on what day your

lord will come

after that he spoke for seven verses of

the faithful and wise servant

and then he gives

a discussion of five wise virgins all of

this is held together by the fact that

jesus followers need to be faithful and

wise in the time we wait for his return

that is we need to keep watch

so what's the point

well i think it's not this i've heard

verses like this been used to say don't

be caught doing something you shouldn't

when he returns will you be ashamed at

his appearance 1 john 2 28 and now dear

children continue in him so that when he

appears we may be confident and

unashamed before him at his coming

i think this is not despite the anecdote

i began with the main point of these

verses the language of shame at his

coming

isn't so much embarrassment when he

arrives

as the shame of being judged and found

wanting

so what is the point well i've got a few

things to offer first of all the delay

will eventually be over

and when it is the time of preparation

ends with it

it will be too late to rush around

getting ready jesus offers no hope that

he'll give in at that point don't

presume upon the kindness and patience

of god

now these girls

the foolish ones have an assurance that

they are not entitled to they seem to

think that if they get the oil and show

up at the door they'll be allowed in you

know jesus stands at the door and knocks

is he always letting

his time of standing knocking and

waiting will come to an end

and then the door will be closed

these girls may have enjoyed a prominent

position

for weeks or months in the lead-up to

the wedding but it's all worth nothing

when the wedding begins and they are

excluded

so will you grow weary of doing good

and staying alert

would you persevere in faith and

obedience both of which are tied to

wisdom through jesus teaching

and i think well

you know you probably will get tired of

the battle to resist sin

sins like sex and alcohol and pride and

greed

i think we all know that feeling when

we're not hungry and somebody offers us

something to eat and we partake and then

we can't stop eating

i wonder if sin works that way too

and i think we'll all get tired of being

different from the world around us

and this too often can result in an

avalanche of sin

maybe we'll get tired of knowing that

our brothers and sisters in christ and

other countries are dying for him and

yet he still delays

or maybe one day it won't be christians

overseas who are being arrested

or murdered or dying for christ

and maybe then you'll discover that you

haven't really counted the cost

so be prepared

jesus says therefore keep watch you

don't know the hour

but you do know the master is coming

what does you want you to do in the

interim

the surrounding parables give shape to

that but even more the entire bible

teaches us how to live in light of the

coming king

don't grow weary galatians 6 9 let us

not become weary

in doing good for at the proper time we

will reap a harvest if we do not give up

so what is god calling you to do

now you're growing weary as you do it

don't give up

don't give up

don't give up