The Ten Virgins

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

>And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.   Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

(Matthew 25:1-13)

Here Jesus delivers three parables in a row. They are parables of preparation, given to steel his listeners against trying times ahead-the Parables of the Ten Virgins, the Talents, and the Sheep and the Goats. Whereas the other two parables within this chapter deal with the need for productive discipleship and tender regard for humankind, the Parable of the Ten Virgins is about spiritual readiness.

Interestingly, the main characters in the story are designated as ten virgins, meaning presumably ten people who have kept themselves from the taints of the world. But they are found wanting in regard to what it takes to keep the light of God burning in their lives. The level of oil (often symbolic of the Holy Spirit) within their lamps could thus represent the degree to which they had cultivated the influence of the Holy Spirit to navigate life's shoals and empower them in meeting life's challenges. And, sadly, Jesus points out that there are some things-like years of personal devotion and meaningful service-that one cannot borrow from a neighbor on the spur of the moment. Further, just as many of the small lamps in the Middle East require a careful and methodical effort to fill them, so in our own lives we need to build our reservoirs of faith and spiritual depth gradually. The way to peace and preparation is thus not through spiritual marathons at the last hour, but rather through consistent and steady spiritual progress throughout our lives.

Jesus forces an issue and demands that his listeners ask hard questions of themselves: Is anything in this life worth my soul? Is there any reward, any honor, any mortal station that is so deserving of my attention and my affections that I would mortgage my eternal future for them? Some things we cannot take with us through death; some things simply will not make it through celestial customs.