Without a doubt Jesus was and still is The Master Teacher. His use of parables was just one of several factors that made Him a great teacher. Parables, however, can make a very sharp point, teaching so forcefully that the hearer cannot avoid the meaning of the lesson. One example, in Matthew 25:1-13, is the parable of the “Five Wise and Five Foolish Maidens.” Along with the parables of the “Talents” and the “Sheep and the Goats,” Jesus emphasized the need to be ready when He returns. Read the parable, then study with me the following major points:
“Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh!”
Just a short time before telling these parables, Jesus gave signs of the impending destruction of Jerusalem. However, there were to be no—repeat—no signs of His return, but the need for constant vigilance and preparedness for the time of His coming, Matthew 24:36f. The wedding feast noticed here was quite unlike weddings in American culture. There, the bridegroom brought the bride to the feast without giving any warning as to the time, so it was not unusual for some to be unprepared when he came. While we know Jesus is coming, we do not know either “the day or the hour of His coming.” When the trumpet sounds, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, it will be too late to make preparation. Five of those young maidens were ready; the other five were not.
Some Things Cannot Be Loaned or Borrowed
Five of the young virgins had not brought enough oil for their lamps and sought to borrow from others present. But the principle of Galatians 6:5, “Every man shall bear his own burden,” requires each person to make his/her own preparation. You cannot “borrow” another person’s integrity, Bible knowledge, wisdom, respect OR their preparedness to meet God in judgment. The old adage, “Every tub must sit on its own bottom” fits here as well. Romans 14:12 instructs us, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” I cannot stand in judgment in my children’s stead, nor can they stand in place of their children. Each of us must be ready.
Unfortunately, many are playing a form of eternal “Russian roulette” with their soul. I have heard some say, “I’m just going to live the best way I know how and take my chances with God’s mercy.” This parable, however, teaches us that God’s mercy and grace will not ignore one’s failure to prepare for Jesus’ coming.
“The Door Was Shut”
Another perspective of the ancient wedding feast was the fact that those who were not present when the bridegroom arrived were not invited to participate in the feast. The parable accurately reflects the custom of that day. It was no accident that Jesus climaxed the parable with “and the door was shut,” for He also made a significant point concerning God’s view of our life. This earth is not our ultimate home, but a pilgrimage, merely a temporary place of abode. The Bible speaks often of our “hope of eternal life,” Titus 1:2, John 6:68, 1 Peter 1:4, but even this hope must be understood in light of these words of Jesus, “the door was shut.” Some day that door will be shut and it will be too late to prepare for Jesus’ return. There will be no warning, for “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,” 2 Peter 3:10.
Some may have their hope in the belief that God will ultimately relent and save everyone, even those who for years have ignored their responsibility to Him and to others. But “the Lord sees not as man sees,” 1 Samuel 16:7, and God “cannot lie,” Titus 1:2. For God to ignore the mandates written by His inspired writers would be the ultimate injustice, yet God is the essence of justice, Deuteronomy 32:4. No, God is not going to relent and just “save everybody” out of His grace, but all will be “judged every man according to their works,” Revelation 20:13.
Others are waiting for a “convenient season,” Acts 24:25, saying “I don’t have any room in my life for that,” or “I’m not good enough to be a Christian.” When we wait for a more convenient time we waste valuable hours that can never be restored. Felix, a Roman governor, heard Paul “reason of righteousness, self control and the judgment to come.” Hearing those words he trembled, but his heart would not allow the seed of the gospel to take root. He said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee,” Acts 24:25. Unfortunately, there is no record anywhere that Felix ever found a “convenient season.” “The door was shut!” His time ran out!
Right now, the door between you and God stands open to your honest submission to Him. However, you must not forget that this life is “but a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away,” James 4:14. One day that door will be shut forever. Will you be ready when He comes?
