WORDS TO BE HEARD WITH OUR HEARTS
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take extra oil with them; 4 but the prudent ones took oil in flasks with their lamps.
5 Now while the groom was delaying, they all became drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there finally was a shout: ‘Behold, the groom! Come out to meet him.’
7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 However, the prudent ones answered, ‘No, there most certainly would not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the groom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Yet later, the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 Be on the alert then, because you do not know the day nor the hour.
Jesus, Matthew 25:1-13, nasb
FOR US
Are we alert, and prepared to meet the groom? Jesus’ expectations for the life of His disciples are clear, rigorous, and unapologetic, and they impinge heavily upon the affections and habits of our former nature as we are being transformed into His image.
How differently would we live today if we took Him seriously? Or are we already doing so?
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, OH USA
May 29, 2021
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