In Matthew 24, Jesus’ disciples had asked Him about end times: how they will recognize His coming, how to be ready when this time comes…
Jesus answers their questions. From His answer, we know that it is important for us to realize that the future holds great challenge, but that nothing godless people may do on this planet invalidates the promises that God has given, nor negates the fact that He is in charge. True believers must continue in faith no matter what.
But after Jesus gives them information about the end times, He gives some very stern parables which warn against thinking that the future matters, but the present does not. No one can live for the future apart from living for the present – because God is the God of the present, the God of the living, not the dead; and we must worship and obey Him in the present.
As we look at the three parables in this chapter, they all address a lack of commitment or resolve. Saying we believe something, but not following through is the essence of hypocrisy… and in the end, hypocrites fare no better than any other sort of unbeliever.
The unfortunate outcomes of these three parables are
- Being told to go away, unknown by the bridegroom (v. 12).
- Being thrown into outer darkness, the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (v. 29).
- Being sent away to eternal punishment (v. 46).
So we will examine these three parables so we can understand just what it is that Jesus wants us, His followers to avoid.
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(All Scripture used is from the NIV, which can be read online at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25&version=NIV.)
We begin with the Parable of the Ten Virgins, a parable which seems perplexing, harsh and perhaps unfair…
1) (Vv. 1-5) Jesus sets the stage:
“ At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”
— I see the role of these virgins as being celebrants, friends who are there to honor and encourage the bridegroom.
— Of course, the objective is to provide a huge showing of support, a great festive display, when he arrives.
— In v. 2, it tells us that “five were foolish and five were wise”… but I think we must understand that the point isn’t to differentiate between the intellectual capacity of these friends, but to differentiate between their actions. Some acted wisely and some did not.
— The wise ones brought extra oil, but the foolish ones did not.
…Then, in the long time it took the bridegroom to arrive, they all fell asleep.
2) When the bridegroom finally arrives, suddenly they all wake up, and those who were unprepared found they had a problem – no oil. Some solutions are proposed:
— The unprepared friends asked the others to give them some oil, but those who still had oil did not want to run out themselves.
— So they suggested that they go out to buy some new oil…
— But while the foolish and unprepared friends were out buying oil, the bridegroom came and they were not there.
3) When they return to the banquet hall, the door had been shut, and when they pounded and cried out to the bridegroom, he does not open it, declaring that he doesn’t know them.
Discussion:
— We, and perhaps the listeners of Jesus’ day, would assume that friendship is based on a relationship which exists apart from whether or not one was present at the exact minute the bridegroom came. Our natural response is to protest that the bridegroom should have recognized his friends and let them in, despite their “foolish” failure to bring enough oil to allow for an unexpectedly long wait.
— But according to this teaching, friendship with the bridegroom is equated with being present when He comes; and the result is equated with the intention.
— Those who are friends of the bridegroom will be there for his special event. Those who are present intended to be there, and those who aren’t there didn’t intend to be.
— While we might try to make excuses for those who weren’t there, what it boils down to is a lack of commitment and dedication.
— I have a modern-day version of this parable: suppose a photographer is sent to get a shot of the space shuttle taking off. But due to many delays, this ends up being much later than he or she had thought… so the photographer spends the time taking pictures of other things instead.
When the final countdown occurs, would anyone be willing to lend that photographer film? Would he be able to run out and buy some? What kind of reception will he get from his employer when he comes back from the launch with no photos?
A person who is determined and committed will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Those foolish “friends” were rejected because, had they been committed, nothing would have prevented them from being there for the bridegroom.
— …They would have brought extra oil. Or as time went on, they could have put out their lamps if they were running short. Or if they accidently used up their oil, they could have waited in the dark.
In condemning these foolish friends, Jesus is telling His disciples that full commitment is the only valid demonstration of true belief. If you are not fully committed to something – anything – then you don’t really believe in it; it is not your top priority.
Conclusion: We should take a good hard look at our lives. Is worshiping God and acknowledging Him as sovereign Ruler of all, living in daily obedience to His character and His Word, our top priority?
If we find ourselves making excuses, being most casual about obeying what we feel God would want us to do, what is it that truly rules our lives? Jesus urges all would-be disciples to examine ourselves, to honestly assess how committed we actually are to serving Christ as king. No genuine commitment involves tomorrow but not today.
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Until next post,
Peace
Vires ad novem die – strength for a new day
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adaffodil 